On Tuesday 12 November, the York Dialectic Union hosted best-selling author and wellness ambassador Liz Earle in the Berrick Saul Building for an engaging talk on entrepreneurship and prioritising well-being. In a fast-paced world where health and eating are often sidelined, Earle reminded attendees of self-care's essential role in mental and physical health. Earle’s talk, rich with personal anecdotes and practical advice, traced her journey from uncertain beginnings to becoming a leading voice in beauty and wellness. At 16, she began studying hotel management without a clear career path, but her passion for wellness emerged during her time with Molton Brown. This led her to beauty journalism at Woman’s Journal, a role that evolved into becoming a beauty spokesperson for ITV’s This Morning and hosting the BBC’s Beautywise – the UK’s first dedicated beauty show. These experiences solidified her position as a respected wellness advocate.
Listed below are some of the key takeaways from her insightful discussion, followed by a Q&A session with students.
1. Building a Mindful Morning Routine
Earle stressed the importance of starting the day mindfully and device-free. She discouraged using a phone alarm, which can expose users to toxic media or excessive screen time right after waking. Instead, she recommended traditional alarm clocks and stepping outside to embrace natural sunlight, particularly at sunrise, to benefit from infrared and UV light. This practice not only uplifts mental health but also regulates cortisol, the stress hormone that energises us in the morning. Additionally, cold showers can briefly elevate cortisol levels, offering a natural boost of alertness. This simple shift can set a positive tone for the day.
2. Prioritising Gut Health
Earle underscored the significance of gut health, advocating for the inclusion of fermented foods she calls the “Five K’s”: kefir, kombucha, kimchi, kraut (sauerkraut), and kamut (high-protein bread). These foods and drinks nourish gut bacteria, aiding digestion, bolstering immunity, and enhancing overall well-being. She highlighted the growing body of research linking gut health to broader physical and mental health outcomes, urging attendees to focus on diverse, natural diets to maintain microbial balance.
3. Navigating Hormonal Health
Addressing hormonal fluctuations in women, Earle debunked concerns surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT): emphasising that she has looked into current research suggesting it does not increase cancer risk like it may be believed to do so in the past. She also pointed out that menopause, though uncommon, can begin as early as age 11. Understanding these changes is vital for maintaining energy and mental clarity. Earle encouraged young women to educate themselves about their bodies and make their own informed decisions about hormonal health.
4. Reducing Device Usage and EMF Exposure
Earle expressed concern about electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from charging devices, particularly when placed near the head. She advised attendees to charge devices at a distance and minimise screen time to safeguard cellular health. However, it is important to note that extensive research has been completed and continues on EMF and the WHO (World Health Organisation) concluded that “current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields” (WHO, 2016).
5. The Benefits of Grounding
Connecting with nature is another cornerstone of Earle’s wellness philosophy. She suggested walking barefoot outdoors for just five minutes per day to stabilise mood and promote mental well-being. This practice, known as grounding, is a simple yet effective way to recharge and feel closer to nature.
Q: What steps have Liz Earle's products taken to reduce microplastic use?
A: Since Liz Earle sold her beauty company over ten years ago, she can’t speak for their current practices, but recalls that when she first started, topics like sustainability and microplastic pollution were not widely discussed. Earle believes plastic pollution is one of the greatest challenges today. In her current role as a publisher, she ensures their paper comes from sustainable forests and uses eco-friendly inks. The COVID pandemic highlighted this issue as well, with disposable blue masks contributing to microplastic pollution, which she notes we are ultimately breathing in.
Q: With growing awareness about ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on social media, what can organisations do to help?
A: Earle points out that ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive, which compounds the problem. She recently spoke at The Longevity Forum where the focus was on encouraging big food companies to offer healthier options, rather than banning them altogether. Earle believes consumers have power by choosing what to buy, essentially voting with their wallets. She explains that emulsifiers, once deemed safe, are now known to disrupt gut health as our understanding of the microbiome has grown. Her advice: stick to whole foods, especially those your grandmother would recognise. She highlights eggs as a brain-boosting superfood packed with choline, along with lentils and butter beans as excellent sources of protein and prebiotic fibre.
Q: How does Earle balance sustainability and profitability when building a business?
A: Liz believes in starting with the best possible product and then determining the cost from there. She’s always approached product creation from a place of passion and commitment to quality. However, in her view, sustainable practices can be profitable; for instance, if companies earn revenue from sustainable forestry, this creates an incentive to preserve trees. She also advocates for companies to work directly with farmers and growers, which creates relationships promoting both sustainability and quality.
Q: With so many new beauty chemicals and retinoids, is there a “magic product” for health, and what’s the biggest beauty myth Liz has encountered?
A: Liz considers one of the biggest myths to be that cholesterol is inherently bad; she points out that approximately 80 percent of cholesterol is essential for the body, whilst oxidised cholesterol can be harmful. She also notes that sugar is a major contributor to inflammation. Another misconception she highlights is the “glass skin” trend, which promotes over-exfoliation. According to Liz, the skin’s protective barrier is meant to keep things out, and over-stripping it can weaken this defence. She’s an advocate of pro-ageing rather than anti-ageing, and so while she supports the benefits of peptides as anti-ageing agents and believes in the value of collagen, Liz suggests focusing on consuming protein and getting adequate vitamin D for overall skin health.
While Liz Earle shares her personal research it is important to note that the above is simply a relay of her wellness advice and opinions. As she states, it is important to conduct your own research to make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
