Cleo Sparks would get up years ago with general slowness and stiffness in her joints. “I considered that to be simply a natural ageing process,” she says. She became intrigued, though, when a friend brought her anti-inflammatory herbs and teas and decided to design her own ritual.
From a cup of turmeric tea, what began as a small component of her morning ritual has grown to be significant. Clear says, “It’s not only the tea.” ” It’s the quiet, the warmth, the intention.”
She spends some time each morning brewing her tea, sometimes a mixture of ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon and other times something cool like peppermint or fennel. She sits by the window, light a candle, and sip gently. “Five to ten minutes of peace before the world starts talking.”
She began this habit a few weeks ago and observed that her digestion was more regular and her joints felt less stiff. She started to feel emotionally anchored, though, far more than in terms of physical transformation. Choosing to start your day with care has something healing about it, Cleo says.
She insists that although the herbs she choose are not magical, the consistency and awareness of the ceremony make a difference. “It makes me realise first thing in the morning, I deserve to feel good.”
Cleo now exhorts others to design their own ceremonies, whether they call for tea, lemon water, or just five minutes of silence. She advises against a complete detox. “Every day, you only need one little deed of kindness towards yourself.”
