Lydia Ward, founder of Naked Margarita, starts most days around 6am, woken by sunshine streaming through the glass ceiling of her bedroom. She prioritises a kiss on her husband Chris's forehead, describing it as a nervous-system-soothing way to begin the day.
Morning rituals and supplements
After waking, Ward drinks a pint of water, scrapes her tongue, and brushes her teeth before taking supplements: Emily English's Epetome with Vitamin B12, myo-inositol for her polycystic ovary syndrome, and Viviscal hair and skin supplements. She and Chris then hold a "morning meeting" on the bed or sofa, which she calls a sacred time of verbal journalling, before taking turns with the CurrentBody LED mask.
Every day starts with a fibremaxxed smoothie containing flax, chia, walnuts, almonds, protein, cacao, coconut milk, and dates. Lunch follows the 80/20 rule, pairing a healthy plate with a sweet treat. Dinner features good-quality protein with herbs and spices, often drawing on her eastern heritage and Asian cuisines, though she never refuses a well-cooked steak frites.
Fitness and tech habits
Ward walks her dog for at least an hour daily and aims for at least three workouts a week, combining weights, Pilates, and skipping. She keeps a healthy distance from her Apple watch unless exercising, as constant notifications were harming her nervous system. She also praises her walking pad as the most underrated piece of tech for habit stacking and steps, and recommends Myoovi for endometriosis and PCOS pain relief.
Friend Stuart Sandeman, a breathwork coach and former Radio 1 DJ, has influenced her practices. She uses box breathing—inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four—to manage stress. Ward incorporates nootropics like L-theanine and magnesium into the non-alcoholic Naked Margarita and sometimes takes a mushroom complex on busy days. She values the ritual of making and pouring a drink, finding comfort in the steps involved.
Her advice
Ward advises trusting your gut, listening to your body, and practising moderation. She urges against chasing perfection, noting that no one, regardless of time, money, or patience, can be perfect.
