Living Well
George Bamford discusses his thoughts on longevity, fitness and non-negotiable wellness rituals.
Across the wellness industry there’s a growing focus on longevity. From the rise of new and restorative movement practices to an emphasis on sleep quality and emotional connection, the most enduring approaches to wellbeing are holistic.
For George Bamford, founder of Bamford Grooming Department, ageing well is less about chasing perfection and more about small, daily choices that stack up over time; prioritising movement, active rest and carved-out time to connect inward.
His interest in living well has also shaped the products in the Bamford Grooming Department range. This month, BGD has launched three new items, thoughtfully designed to support and elevate everyday grooming rituals.
In conversation, George shares some of the principles that shape his own routines, mindset and product development.
Longevity has become a key talking point across health and wellness. What does ‘ageing well’ mean to you?
For me, I look at wrinkles and think they’re wonderful things - they show that we’ve had a good life. Ageing is something I’m thinking about a lot at the moment, and I really want to make sure that I prolong my life as much as I can so I can experience everything I want to in the world. That’s how I think about ageing well: prolonging life so we can experience more, and as a result, get more wrinkles. They’re part of us living life in our own way.
I think it’s the ups and downs of life that age us, and that’s actually something quite beautiful. I know we’re all in pursuit of perfection, but for me, ageing is a given. The most important thing is to keep your body in good health.
Outside of grooming products, are there any non-negotiables that support your wellbeing, whether that’s sleep, movement, nutrition, or mindset?
For me, it’s definitely running or cycling, those are my two things. Over the past few months, I’ve also tried to focus on stretching daily. I just do 10 minutes, which I know isn’t enough, but for me that works on top of a run or a cycle. It’s become my new go-to habit; it makes me feel good and it’s so important for avoiding injuries.
Do you use any supplements to support your lifestyle?
At the moment, no. I don’t use any supplements, although I probably should. I used to take a lot of fish oils, which I think are very good for lubricating the body, as well as various vitamins. But I’ve had about eight months off every supplement, and I’m now looking at getting back into it, probably starting with a really good multivitamin and fish oils again. It’s actually been quite a good thing to take a break, so I can better understand what I really need to supplement my life.
When life gets busy, what’s the first wellness habit you protect?
It has to be running. I always protect that time to go out for a run. I really cherish that half an hour or 45 minutes to myself, whether I’m listening to music, a podcast, or nothing at all, just running and dropping the baggage of the day. It doesn’t matter what speed I go at; I’m not there to be the fastest. I’m just there to enjoy it and let go of whatever’s happened that day. For me, it’s one of my most important wellness habits.
What’s one small change people could make that you think would have the biggest impact on how they feel day to day?
I always say to people: stop looking at your feet and start looking up. The world around you is amazing. A friend of mine talks about finding a “pocket full of happiness” every day, and I really like that idea. Look for one small pocket of joy each day.
Positivity can outweigh negativity, so if you start your day by finding something positive, hopefully the rest of the day follows suit. And if it doesn’t, there’s always tomorrow. That’s the small change for me. And if all else fails, go for a walk, go for a run, just get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Even 10 minutes of ‘you time’ is better than nothing.
What sparked the decision to introduce the new grooming products launching within Bamford Grooming Department?
I always think about what I’m using in my own life and ask whether it could be better. Could we do it better, or could we do it differently? That thinking is really what led to launching these new products.
What was the thinking behind launching the new hair wax, and how does it stand out compared to current products on the market?
I’ve always loved hair wax and hair products, but I’m also always conscious about losing hair. For me, it was important to create something that was genuinely good for your hair, as well as effective for styling. That’s something I really wanted to push forward with the Bamford Grooming Department team; a product that looks after your hair while helping you style it properly.