“We live in an overstimulated world where everything is designed to distract us. We constantly implement new wellness protocols because we feel disconnected, but really, we’re just adding more things to our to-do list.”
So said the author and Ayurvedic advocate Jasmine Hemsley to an audience of 50 Harper’s Bazaar readers at an event themed around ‘The Art of Wellness’, held at the Park Hyatt London River Thames in association with the luxury electric-car manufacturer Polestar.
Hemsley, who had just hosted a sound bath for the group, was part of a panel that also included the wellness practitioner and skincare entrepreneur Ada Ooi, and Polestar’s own head of colour and material Maria Uggla.
The theme of overstimulation ran throughout the conversation, as panellists sought to reposition wellness as a source of respite rather than a chore.
Hemsley explained that “creating space in the day for breathing or meditation” had improved her quality of sleep, while Uggla, who lives on a Swedish island outside Gothenburg, said that being close to nature helped her feel grounded.
Pleasure relies on doing something you’re passionate about
Ooi, whose holistic practice combines elements of Chinese and western medicine, revealed that the one piece of advice she gives her patients is that “being still is not a crime”, warning that excessive multitasking can overload our brains, which in turn can affect other areas of the body, including the digestive system.
Finding moments of joy emerged as a health priority, with Ooi pointing out that the scientific benefits of pleasure for the human anatomy are well known: “It suppresses inflammation by taking your body from ‘fight and flight’ to ‘rest and digest’ mode, it produces neurochemicals that modulate your emotions and it prevents memory loss.”
Uggla, meanwhile, reflected on the satisfaction that comes from bringing a sustainable mindset to her working life. “I was a climate activist long before I became an automotive designer – now, I enjoy the opportunity to change the industry from the inside through a more conscious use of materials,” she said. “Ultimately, pleasure relies on doing something you’re passionate about.”
Polestar’s electric cars have a distinct, Scandinavian aesthetic designed to promote a feeling of calm, and are made with environmental impact front of mind. The minimalist interiors use materials such as animal welfare-certified wool and recycled leather alternatives, while every car produced comes with a ‘life-cycle assessment’ that breaks down its carbon footprint from manufacture to end-of-life. To find out more, and to book a test drive, visit Polestar’s website.
Polestar
