When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care, but in our many conversations with some of the most productive business owners and creatives we’ve found that self-care is one of the most effective ways to boost productivity.
Jhane
I do a few different things for self-care, such as going on walks, having intentional rest days or spa days, etc. My favorite form of self-care is my monthly self-date, where I do my reflection, pick an activity to do alone (like going out to eat, taking a pottery class, etc.), and buying myself flowers. It allows me to be intentional about time with myself and where I’m at in life and to love on myself in the way that I would expect someone else to love on me. It also impacts my effectiveness by allowing me to be in a space where I may find inspiration for my poetry and creativity. It gives me a rest and time away from the craziness of the day to day, too. Read More>>
Shin Yu Pai
I run 3 miles a few times a week. I started running during the pandemic when I gave up going to my gym where I’d go swimming. I had to build up over that first year of running to getting to 3 miles. I do it first thing in the morning when I get up. Sometimes I sneak out of the house while everyone is still sleeping. Other times, my son is up and I cook him a quick breakfast before slipping out the door. Running really helps me manage my anxiety and also clears my mind so that ideas and lines that I’ll use in my writing emerge more easily. Read More>>
Altara Michelle
I am currently a graduate student at Fordham University, where I am getting my Masters in Social Work. My GPA after 2 years is a 3.99. Self-care is huge in our field, as is maintaining ones optimal mental health. Even before graduate school, I used the same methods to decompress, de-stress, process information, and care for myself on a daily basis.
Moving meditation (also known as exercise) has been my tried and true way of maintaining a positive outlook on life, creating order, promoting efficiency, developing structure, and consistently living a healthy lifestyle. I have always been an athlete, and moving my body everyday has kept me sharp, fit, productive, and hungry for more. I use this time to really connect with my mind and body and to focus on how I’m feeling in the moment.
My favorite forms of exercise are hiking, walking and Pilates. In fact, I am currently getting certified to teach Pilates reformer classes because I love it so much. Doing Pilates reformer classes 4 times per week has been my go-to routine since 2020, and it definitely got me through the worst times of the pandemic. I am now in the best shape of my life! Read More>>
Edible Ed
I used to play sports, mainly basketball and baseball. Walking onto the court or the field was like entering another world. A place separate from the rigors of the real world. A place where I was king and carefree. But after 6 back surgeries, the fact that I can walk, period, is a miracle. For a long time, when my depression began to overwhelm me, I had no outlet, no way to cope with the pain. Those were really scary days. Read More>>
Natalia Christabelle
I think of self-care as a big garden filled with all of these different plants and their individual characteristics and unique needs. Think of humans as the garden. When you talk about self-care, humans just like plants have their own individual characteristics and unique needs. Such as the mind/mental, body, hunger, thirst, addiction, trauma, and sexuality directly affecting the wellness of the mind and body. Like a healthy root system everything is connected, constantly influencing each other. Positive self-care will promote enrichment in these areas. I like a balanced self-care. For me, a cup of tea and my favorite manga stimulates my mind, adds to my creative juices and it’s great for my gut health. Sometimes I just need to go on a drive and cruise LA at night. The wind, the view and a dope playlist and I feel like I can take over the world. Medication can also be a form of self-care, cooking yourself a meal, a hot bath, working out, learning a new skill, getting a haircut, going out on a hike by yourself. Whatever gives you a peace of mind. Read More>>
Wally Stryk
I take a balanced approach in day to activities. I’m fortunate in that I’ve always enjoyes some type of exercise and have been drawn to Yoga in more recent years. When I first took classes, it didn’t seen alien to me. I’d done many of the physical movements in other contexts. The meditive aspect was also familiar to me. I’d been exposed to “dhyana” over the years and found myself meditating when I didn;t think of it as such. It was a time to connect and unwind. Presently, at 70 years old, I enjoy the process of movement and connecting. I am grateful and enthusiastic about this wonderful adventure we’re in. Read More>>
Taneka Johnson
Self care has truly been on of the best parts of my business model. Without proper self care, there is no way that I could even think about possibly showing up for myself, my mom, or my business. I have made sure to implement it into my everyday practice so that I not only start my day right, but also have those breaks or moments in my day where I may need a boost from a little self care.
What I currently do for self care is start my day with my morning routine which can be a combination of going for my early morning walks when the world is still quiet, take at least 10-30 minutes to journal out my thoughts or write out my prayers, light a candle and do some yoga or meditation with a bit of aroma therapy. Read More>>
Stef Cimini
Self care is a crucial part of everyone ‘s journey to fulfillment. I practice sport, take good care of my body in its whole, I try to stay on top of little age related annoying hiccups.
But most of all, my self care consists in practice self gentleness and tell myself everyday I gave it all and did a good job, no matter the outcome, which obviously cannot always be positive every single day. Read More>>
Tom Nguyen
I set aside time to exercise for at least an hour 4-6 days per week. Exercising makes me feel better, and I feel better, I work better. Even though I work for myself, I take the weekends to recharge. When I come back to work, I’m recharged. Working is important, but self-care and playing are equally important. Read More>>
Samantha Marut Kelly-Tracy Holly, CAE, CE, CMLT
Samantha’s Answer: I appreciate your curiosity about self-care. It’s something that means different things to different people. For me, self-care is all about finding ways to reconnect with myself and stay rooted in the present moment. Some of the things I do for self-care are breathing exercises, meditation, prayer, spending time outdoors, working out, sleeping well and writing in a journal. The most important part of my self-care is always being mindful, feeling grounded, praying and giving thanks for all the good things in my life.
Kelly’s Answer: Self-care for me includes mind, body and spirit. It encompasses all that I do to keep myself healthy and to be the best wife, mother and person that I can be. I constantly keep my mind active by continuing to educate myself in many diverse fields, my body active with movement, being in nature, eating healthy and getting the sleep that I need. I nurture my spirituality with quiet time and prayer. Whether it is home, work or play, when all of these things are in balance I am more clear-headed and can stay focused on the task at hand. Read More>>
Frans Stiene
Self-care is a very important element of our daily life, I see way too many people struggling in their daily life these days. However we can change this and that is why some kind of daily ritual or practice is so important. First of all I always make sure that if I am tired I do a little nap, maybe 15 or 20 min. You can train yourself in it to have the perfect nap which is very rejuvenating. Second I do daily specific deep breathing meditation practices to restore my own inner energy, in Japanese they are called hara breathing practices but often translated as deep belly breathing. By focusing on the hara and using my diaphragm I start to feel more focused so that when I do my work it is more effective. Most of the time we get so distracted by all sorts of things during our work, but if we train ourselves to be more focused our work is done faster and therefore we have more time for self-care. Read More>>
Ethan Healey
This is something I struggle with still. Lately i’ve been mediating as much as I can. Usually as soon as I wake up, It’s really become a nice way to wake up.
Going outside has been a big one the past few years! When I’m working i’m inside & cooped up inside a room & that’s all I am, I am THERE. But when I go outside, just walking around the park I find it so healing.
There’s energy in the trees, I feel it. Read More>>
