Meet The Member - Jessica Bower Wellness
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We caught up with our member Jessica Bower Wellness to find out about her journey into holistic wellness.
We love having you as a member of We Are St Albans. We’d love to hear more about your story. What inspired you to specialise in holistic wellness, and how has your journey evolved over the years?
I kind of fell into the Industry, not really knowing what I wanted to do I went traveling to Australia, I fell in love with it and decided I was going to move there. As soon as I got home, I done some research into what careers were needed to gain sponsorship and it was mainly Beauty Therapist roles. I enrolled on a course the following week.
After I completed the training the thought of moving abroad was a distant memory and I went onto Uni and I started working in a Beauty role while studying, I then moved into Spa’s. It was here I discovered a passion for holistic therapies. After Uni I went straight into a Training role and then into Management and spent many years within the Spa and Wellness Industry continuing to develop my skills in different therapies.
Then last year I decided to take the leap and set up on my own, so I could fully focus on delivering Holistic Wellness to in a more rewarding way.
You offer Jennifer Young Treatments for those going through cancer care, how do these therapies support clients during such a challenging time?
These treatments are personalised, carefully adapted therapies to suit each client’s individual needs and requirements. Using 100% natural products that are handmade in Staffordshire, created to support with the side effects of Cancer Treatment.
They soothe, nourish and rejuvenate the face, scalp and body. These treatments are suitable for the most sensitive of skin. The restorative power of touch therapies brings balance, wellbeing and profound relaxation to clients during the challenges and side effects they face during treatment.
Mental health and stress management are more important than ever, what role do holistic therapies play in emotional well-being?
Holistic therapies have numerous benefits on the nervous system to reduce stress and improve our overall health and wellbeing. Therapies stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system releasing beneficial hormones like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine which are known as our happy hormones, counteracting the effects of our stress response by lowering levels of our stress hormones like cortisol, and adrenaline allowing the body to go it to a state of calm and balance.
Looking after our mental health is so important and is now openly spoken about, the concept of holistic health is now widely recognised and accepted as an alternative or supportive way to heal the mind, body and spirit. I believe more people are now seeking alternative treatments that focus not just on symptoms but on treating the individual as a whole. One of the benefits of adopting a holistic approach is its ability to address the root causes of problems rather than simply masking them.
Auricular acupuncture is not something everyone is familiar with, how does it work, and what are its benefits?
Auricular Acupuncture is used in many NHS GP practices, as well as in most pain clinics and hospices in the UK. Auricular acupuncture works on the same principles as Acupuncture, but needles are inserted into the ear only. The insertion of needles into the outer ear, addresses a variety of physiological and psychological concerns.
Some of the benefits
Calms patients post-operatively
Associated with a reduction in waist circumference and other markers of weight loss
Relieves pain
Calms the mind
Supports those with allergies and infectious diseases
Regulates endocrine system disorders
Supports clients with chronic disease and functional disorders
Supports clients with Mental Health and Neurodivergence
Support addicts through withdrawal symptoms
Detoxification
Motion sickness
Supports clients through their menopausal years
Weight management
What’s the most rewarding part of helping clients through their wellness journey?
Getting to see the difference it can make to each individual and hearing their feedback to how they are feeling during their journey. From a one-off treatment to a full treatment plan you can see the impact the therapies have had on their overall wellbeing.
There are so many wellness trends out there, how do you help clients navigate what truly works for them?
This requires a full consultation to discuss the clients’ objectives and expectations then an agreed treatment plan is put in place that is suitable to achieve clients’ goals. If a client is booked in for a treatment that is not going to benefit them, I would always recommend or direct them to what I feel they will help them towards their goal.
For someone who might be struggling to factor in time for self-care in their routine, what would you advise them? And would you say it is important to intentionally take time for wellness practices?
Self-care is so important even if it is just taking 5-10 minutes out of your day to do something that brings you joy. It’s as important as brushing our teeth which is naturally part of our daily routines, and self-care is no different but many of us find ourselves too busy to make the time for it. I recommend all my clients to factor a wellness practice into their routine, life is busy we need to take a step back and take a time out for ourselves.
What’s one simple self-care ritual you recommend for maintaining balance and relaxation at home?
I would recommend setting aside at least 5 minutes for a morning Meditation. It just sets you up for the day. This can be as simple as a silent moment of taking some deep intentional breaths or a guided meditation. Many of us overthink meditation when in fact just taking a moment to slow down is all that we need to do. There are many guided meditations easily accessible now with apps and YouTube, but silence or listening to a song we like is just as beneficial.
If someone is hesitant to try holistic therapies, what would you say to encourage them to give it a go?
I am a firm believer in the fact that you will never know unless you give it a go. We can research or get advice on other people’s experiences, but we will never have a true understanding until we experience something ourselves. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Finally, we’d love to know where your favourite spot is to visit in St Albans in your spare time.
I would have to say Verulamium Park; I just love walking around here.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love to Scuba Dive, it’s both exciting and peaceful, I am fascinated with Ocean life.