At the intersection of intention, rest, and modern wellness, Dominique Elissa embodies a softer, more sustainable way of living. A Bondi local devoted to gratitude, recovery, and self-connection, she weaves mindfulness into everything she does, from podcasting and journaling to content creation.
Through lived experience, Dominique has transformed her relationship with rest and now champions sleep as the foundation of true wellbeing. Here, she shares her journey, rituals, and the practices that help her slow down, sleep deeper, and live more intentionally.
For anyone meeting you for the first time — who is Dominique Elissa and what do you do?
I’m a wellness- and gratitude-obsessed Bondi local. I’m the host of Selfdom the podcast, the founder of Selfdom Journals, and I also work as a model and content creator. Everything I do is centred around helping people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and live more intentionally.
Why is sleep and recovery important to you?
Sleep is, in my opinion, the most important aspect of our health. When you prioritise rest, you have more energy to tackle your day, show up for your workouts, and stay aligned with your goals. Quality sleep is also scientifically proven to reduce hunger cravings. A proper wind-down routine is a non-negotiable in my life - it completely changes how I function.
What made you start taking sleep seriously? Was there a specific moment it became a priority?
For most of my 20s, I lived in fight-or-flight mode, constantly busy and putting sleep at the bottom of my to-do list. Eventually, it caught up with me and I was forced to take time off work and rebuild my health from the ground up. I struggled with insomnia for over five years, which made prioritising rest incredibly challenging.
Slowly but surely, I found a nighttime routine that worked for me and began experiencing the real benefits of slowing down. Going from barely sleeping to now consistently achieving 90+ sleep scores on my Oura Ring has genuinely changed my life. My biggest hacks? Going to bed earlier, getting off screens, and prioritising the right supplementation to support deep rest.
What do you think people get most wrong about sleep and recovery?
That sleeping more is “lazy.” I guarantee you’ll be surprised by how much better your strength, resilience, and overall performance become when you’re well rested.
For someone who struggles to unwind at night, what’s a realistic bedtime routine you’d recommend?
I always suggest getting off your phone at least one hour before bed. Dim the lights, practise gratitude, and let go of your day on paper. Use essential oils and really romanticise this part of your evening. Getting enough hours of sleep is only half the equation, a proper wind-down routine dramatically improves the quality of your rest.
What’s one small habit that’s had the biggest impact on your sleep quality?
Gratitude. A daily gratitude practice transforms the way you rest because you go to bed in a positive state of mind. I’m also obsessed with my sleep tonic from IKKARI.
What’s one thing you stopped doing that improved your sleep instantly?
Watching TV before bed - absolute game changer.
How do you know when your body needs rest more than it needs another workout?
Learning to trust your body takes time, but it’s so important. I aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night, if I haven’t hit that, I’ll skip the workout and prioritise an extra hour of rest instead.
What are the early signs you’re not sleeping well, even if you think you are?
Waking up tired is a big one. Not everyone jumps out of bed full of energy, but within 20 minutes you should feel awake, alert, and ready for the day.
Do you have any go-to evening rituals or products you genuinely love for winding down and recovery?
I’m obsessed with the IKKARI Deep Sleep Tonic and Magnesium Recovery Bath Soak, they’ve become such special rituals for me and really help prepare my body for deep rest. I also love using the sauna about two hours before bed; it helps relax my muscles and naturally tires out the body.