Sorcha Holloway, Founder/Host #ukwinehour, Plymouth (UK)

Years In Industry:
In many ways, I am a relative newcomer to the wine industry. Despite starting off in wine tourism at the end of 2014, I think my wine journey really started properly in July 2015 when I launched the #ukwinehour Twitter chat. I was aware of a number of wine chats across the pond, which usually took place well after our European bedtimes. It seemed like a good idea to start one in this time zone so I created the hashtag and hosted the first chat a week later. After a couple of years I dropped the wine tourism to focus on #ukwinehour and the community continues to thrive and grow.
 
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
I can be my own worst enemy sometimes - I have always had very high expectations of myself but have a tendency to take on too much and often end up spinning too many plates. I should really have learned from this many years ago when I burnt out completely and was forced to give up my career as an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist. Subsequently diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME,  I have been learning since then how to live my best life while seeking balance to avoid relapse. 
 
Sometimes the responsibility for #ukwinehour can be quite overwhelming and I feel the need to continue to push through to deliver, even with bad migraine.
 
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
I do need sunshine and fresh air so usually try to have a winter sun break every year to get me through until spring. I am fortunate to live in a coastal city and can see the sea from my bedroom window; just being able to see the water, even at a distance, gives me the space I need to breathe. When I first moved from Ireland to England I lived in the beautiful Peak District. However, despite the outstanding natural beauty there, I felt stifled being so landlocked.
 
Nowadays, despite, or perhaps as a result of, the extra challenges over the last two years with family illness, bereavement and state of the world, I think I am finally getting there with a good recipe for my own health. I try to avoid to-do lists, and do have to be careful with social media, particularly since #ukwinehour is Twitter based. I feel more comfortable about allowing myself to have a week off now whereas I truly used to worry about letting people down! 
 
Nevertheless, my three top tips for a wellness toolbox are Sleep, Meditation and Yoga:
Sleep is vitally important. I love to get up early when our home is quiet but can only do this if I go to bed early enough.
Meditation can be truly life changing. I discovered the power of meditation during a CFS relapse seven years ago. Calming the mind also calms the body - releasing tension releases energy that can be put to better use.
Yoga in combination with meditation brought me out of my relapse seven years ago, but I foolishly fell by the wayside in the meantime due to allowing life to get too busy and not making time for this vital practice. Thankfully, over this last year I have returned to regular asana practice and continue to feel physically stronger day by day. I try to balance hatha and flow classes with restorative and yin. Again, balance is key.
 
You can connect with Sorcha on Twitter @SorchaHolloway (where you can also join @ukwinehour most Thursdays at 19.00GMT/BST by searching for the hashtag #ukwinehour) and on Instagram @awaywithwine