Healthy Habits with Laura Macleod

By Louise May

With health and wellbeing an ever-increasing focus, we love to chat with our Industry peers to ask what they do, (or don’t do!) to maintain balance both mentally and physically and their own personal philosophy around life and business.

In this feature we chat to Laura Macleod, Hairdresser, educator, mentor, and a reallife ‘salon - Mary Poppins’!

HAPPINESS

What does happiness mean to you and how do you find it in everyday life?

Happiness to me is having a life and a business by design, not default. There’s an affirmation I keep on my screen saver that says ‘I am the architect of my dream life. I build its foundations and choose its contents’’. Time and energy is limited, so I am very deliberate in how I spend it.

BALANCE

What do you do to maintain balance within a busy lifestyle?

Delegate and outsource! I don’t for a minute pretend to be able to do it all. I have an amazing support system in both my personal life and business, and I have learnt to pause before I say ‘yes’. For the first 20 years of my career, I said yes to absolutely everything, but saying yes to something is saying no to something else, so I now ensure I can either replace that time somewhere else or I have the support that week to make it work.

FOOD AND EATING

Do you have any specific dietary habits or preferences?

I’m a bit late to the party, but I have just discovered Hello Fresh, and it has been game changing! I absolutely love to cook, but during the week it’s about convenience! so it’s like your very own food prep service.

What would an ideal day’s meal plan look like for you?

Honestly my ideal day is being prepared, whether that’s having made enough dinner to take the next day for lunch or pre ordering my meal from the cafe next to the salon I am going to be training in at the very same time I book the actual training, so on the day I don’t have to think about it. As someone who works a lot with super busy leaders, I hear so much about ‘decision fatigue’ so reducing every day ‘in the moment’ decisions is such a support.

EXERCISE

Do you follow an exercise program?

This year I have gotten 2 King Charles Cavaliers which has been amazing for my daily walking, the 3 of us hit the pavement every day. I also regularly fit in restorative yoga, it’s incredible for calming the nervous system and there are so many props, you are basically just lying over cushions while beautiful music plays in the background.

CONSISTENCY

Are you consistent with your healthy living habits or do they start and stop depending on what is happening in your life?

This year I must say I have stayed really consistent with my habits, which ironically, it’s the busiest I have ever been in business. At the start of the year, I committed to a huge hike, so I scheduled in walks all the way leading up to it. When your days are bursting it can really feel like you don’t have enough time, and there’s no doubt some things have to give, like my never end washing basket that needs folding, but it’s just being clear on what is a priority in that particular point of your life.

HABITS

What habits have you developed that set you up for success?

Teaming up with a health expert and having regular appointments in the diary has been so good for me. And he is literally booked 6 months in advance, so you don’t consider rescheduling. Also, on a Monday I have someone help with school pick up and I was just having them stay till I raced in the door from work. I now have her stay on for an extra 45 min, so if I haven’t walked that morning, I can do it in the afternoon, and it’s been so helpful.

What’s one habit that you’d like to break or change to be healthier or happier?

I still need to get better with water, my intake is pitiful. After years of doing 12-hour days with back-to-back clients if I’m in the kitchen I’m reaching for a cup of tea not a cup of water. My poor body must be a sultana! Without a doubt, the best thing I have ever done for my health and happiness is address my anxiety. I had gotten so use to functioning with it, I just thought that was how life was. I cannot recommend enough, talking to your GP about it.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for your own health or happiness?

This year instead of my usual ritual of setting a big goals list to conquer I gave myself a word for the year, health, and I asked if this was my best year ever in health, what would that look like. Not just physically but in literally every area of my life and then about shaping my year around it. I can hand on heart say I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been.