There is thankfully a growing realization that effectiveness and self-care are linked and that investing in self-care can be massively improve productivity.
Jonia Queen
First of all I will start admitting that I can improve my self care a lot.
Now, being a professional Samba Dancer , full time Artist, and single mother, really requires a lot self care, so I can keep my boat afloat. Self care including my health first, in different levels, from an athlete level, since being a professional dancer makes me an athlete, dancing 20 hours per week or more sometimes. Self care necessary for my muscles, joints, back, ligaments etc. Also self care for my organs, being mindful of what can affect them and seeking for balance in my life choices. And self care including beauty care, my skin , hair and body in general since a lot is expected of a Samba Dancer image in Hollywood , Los Angeles, California. Read more>>
Cassandra Snow
I take my mornings slow. This isn’t a popular thing to say in a world where wellness blogs preach 6:00 AM rise times and most of my friends have to be at work while I’m still off in dream land. I have never been good at mornings though, and after many failed attempts to join corporate America and become a morning person, I simply found others ways of being. Read more>>
Autumn Carter
For self-care, I rely heavily on my morning and evening routines to regularly check in with myself. Every day, I take a moment during these times to assess different areas of my life—like emotional well-being, physical health, mental clarity, relationships, and my overall sense of balance. I reflect on what’s going well and where I might need to make adjustments, thinking about why I’m thriving in some areas or not doing as well as I’d like in others. This simple routine keeps me grounded and helps me stay proactive. Read more>>
Beau Shaniuk
I believe self-care is SO important, and we need to talk about it more often. I really enjoy meditating when I’m feeling worn down and/or in need of some inner reflection. Meditating has truly had the most profound impact on my effectiveness as a creative, and more importantly, as a human being. It gives me a space for connecting to my highest self — my aura, the part of my being that never really needs healing because it’s always whole. Moreover, meditation provides me with a solid platform for grounding myself by turning inward; you’d be surprised how much healing can come from a bit of self-reflection. Read more>>
Brenna Potter, Clc
Thankfully, over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to practice and grow in this area. I’ve learned that for me, self-care is non-negotiable. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Rest is a normal, necessary part of our human rhythm. There was a time when I operated from a place of perfectionism—always on the go, always trying to deliver the best possible outcome, and never allowing myself room to stop and rest. I didn’t value rest, and that led me straight into burnout. Coming out of that experience, I developed stronger self-care habits, realizing that it’s essential to recharge our mind, body, and spirit from the stressors we face daily. Read more>>
Luca Valentine
Anytime I sit down with a client to talk about selfcare, I define selfcare as anything that helps to restore ‘spoons’. This is just a metaphor for mental, emotional, and/or physical resources that originated in the chronic illness community. The things that take spoons are things like work, chores, even things we enjoy like being with friends can take spoons. The things that restore spoons are sleep, hydration, nourishing food, movement, etc. The things that have helped to maintain my self-care are boundaries, therapy, and an unreserved acknowledgement of what I need to rest and feel well. Read more>>
Jeffrey Proctor
When it comes to self-care, my top priority is not overdoing it. As a therapist, my mind can get pretty worn out, so it’s essential to carve out time for rest. I know it’s tempting to say yes to everything my friends and family suggest, but I’ve learned the hard way that I need at least one day each weekend to recharge—usually that means a day of quiet with just my wife. Read more>>
Andreina Haiek
For me, self-care is all about finding balance, and I prioritize this in my daily routine. Meditation helps me center myself—whether it’s in the morning to start the day with calm or at night to unwind before sleep. Exercise is another essential component, which I make time for at least three times a week. I also find deep joy in connecting with nature. Walks along the beach, time spent in parks, listening to birds, watching the water, or simply enjoying the sunset from my patio help me recharge. These moments of stillness in nature, connecting with God bring me clarity and peace. Read more>>
Heather Willensky
My mother was a pediatrician, and whenever we were out in town together we’d run into the parents of her patients, who invariably stopped to chat. My father had long term health issues and alongside caring for thousands of children, she also managed his care, and somehow found time to be an incredibly loving and nurturing parent. Read more>>
Shalaine Stebner
Self care, for me, is music. I can feel and express SO many things that are in my soul and not feel ashamed or nervous that I will be judged. I can be so genuine and carefree, which is such a bunny hug to my heart! Read more>>
Lea Pace
As a natural born over-achiever, I’ve had to hone my self-care skills and up my game year after year to be able to do what I do. When I was in my 20’s, I didn’t have a great concept of self-care or a good example of someone to mirror in my life but I had an unstoppable drive to achieve, to prove I was worthy. I worked hard and played hard, and because I was young I could keep up, meet my goals without crashing badly enough to fail. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biological Psychology with honors and worked in molecular biology for several years, then went back for my masters in Physician Assistant Studies. Those high achieving and figuring out who I was years were largely a blur. Read more>>
Stefan Lingmerth
I like to head out for a run or go to the track to do a workout. It clears my thoughts but it’s also good for my fitness and health. I have taken my hobby a bit further and I compete in the Masters circuit. The competition forces you to structure your training and have a process to improve. A proper process is key to improve and to be able to execute in most things you do in life. This is same in business. Read more>>
Ilana Andrev
I have always been a “giver.” I love to give people time, love, help, gifts, and more. The problem is that oftentimes, I would not really consider myself someone to give love to. I would end up helping everyone, but being unhappy and burned out with myself. Not to mention that once I started college, I had classes, my podcast, a startup, and two college clubs I help direct. And we cannot forget sleeping, working out, and a social life! There seems to be no time for self-care, but I know without it, I cannot be productive. When I neglect myself, I am unhappy, and when I am unhappy it is challenging to focus and get my work done. Read more>>
Carey Payne
I started using drugs and alcohol at age 12. I had smoked weed once before that, but nothing on a regular basis. I was a full blown addict by the age of 14. I got kicked out of high school for possession of marijuana. I would drink almost everyday and just wanted to hang out with my friends who were all at least 3 or 4 years older than me. My life continued this way. Using, going to jail then getting out and doing it all over again. I had tried detox a couple of times with no lasting results. I would go to drug and alcohol counseling that was mandated by the courts but would always return to what was familiar. I had finally decided to go to rehab in 2015. That is where I got my first taste of recovery. Read more>>
Kelly Peterson Frazier
My career in photography is tightly wound around my grief and love story. I was lucky to grow up in a family with passionate family dinners and regular exploratory experiences. We valued hard, yet rewarding opportunities—even when a crushing diagnosis of Stage Four lung cancer landed in my Dad’s voicemail. After having just been let go from his 30-year engineering career at an international company, my dad interviewed for jobs across the country and accepted a position in the beautiful Colorado. We sold our house, found a new oncologist at Anschutz Medical Campus, enrolled at Colorado State University, and moved to Fort Collins. Read more>>
Sara Chadil
For as long as I can remember, people have called me an “old soul.” Even as a child, I carried a deep introspection with me, often lost in books or pondering life in ways that were beyond my years. I’ve come to see this depth as both a gift and a response to life’s events. My childhood was, in many ways, picture-perfect: running around with my brother, surrounded by love and stability in the suburbs. Yet, the sudden and traumatic death of my brother at age thirteen shattered that bubble, leaving me to navigate grief and search for meaning in ways most eleven-year-olds never have to face. Read more>>
Sasha Keefer
I consider myself an empath. I remember at a very early age, I would lay in bed and think about all the people in the world who were suffering. My family and I came from Russia when I was eight years old. I remember feeling very lonely in school because no one wanted to play with me. I didn’t speak English and wore strange clothes. I think that maybe this time set a foundation of empathy for others. Read more>>
Nina Battaglia
Through a combination of personal experiences and upbringing, I’ve developed a deeper sense of empathy, particularly from a young age when I was taught to appreciate the gifts of nature. The act of nurturing a plant that in turn would one day provide me sustenance fascinated me as a child and continues to do so. Beyond the human connection, I find peace in nature—embracing its beauty, imperfections, and cycles. Understanding that I am a part of the natural world, not separate from it, has made me more compassionate and empathetic. This awareness helped me realize early on that, like nature, all individuals are interconnected. These experiences have directly influenced my journey as an artist, where my work reflects on diverse perspectives within the human experience and our connection to nature, with a focus on ancestral and cultural narratives. Read more>>
