There are so many meaningful habits that help me prioritize my well-being. Each morning when I work from home, before I've even had my coffee, I make sure to take a short walk around the block to get some fresh air before diving into my work day. I usually try to habit stack this ritual by bringing my water bottle along with me so I can start my day with hydration. When I remember to do this small five-minute practice, it makes me feel like I've started the day on the right foot and that I’m doing something good for myself. 

When I’m having a stressful work day, I try my best to prioritize carving out time for hot yoga.  My favorite yoga studio is on my block, so it’s pretty easy to fit in a quick class when I can, and it is the ultimate reset for me. I feel like a new person after each class and I leave with  renewed energy to take on the world again! Plus, I always leave my phone at home when I go so that I can be completely unplugged and present. 

I've also been working on incorporating quick meditations and moments of pause throughout the day. It can be really easy for me to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of everything going on, and that can sometimes become overwhelming if I don't interrupt the stress. More broadly, I have been using the moments of pause to reframe certain patterns of thinking, which I've been lucky to have the opportunity to identify with a Thrive coach. I can be pretty self-critical during times of stress, but taking a moment to pause helps me to take a step back and gain perspective, and then respond in a calmer and less reactive manner when challenges arise. While this is a work-in-progress, I do think it has had a positive impact on how I interact with others at work and with friends and family in my personal life.

I learned a lot about taking time to recharge from Thrive’s Work-Life Integration course. There are so many great practical tips for productivity. I've been using the Pomodoro method recently and have been focusing on "Relentless Prioritization". At a busy, fast-paced company like Thrive, being able to know when to prioritize certain tasks for work and when to take time for yourself to recharge is extremely important!

Giving back is also incredibly important to me. Each Tuesday during the fall and spring, I use an hour and a half of my Thrive “Giving Time” to volunteer as a coach for Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is an after-school program offered across the country for girls in third to fifth grade where we focus on building confidence, navigating friendships, and managing emotions while also challenging the girls to build physical and mental endurance by training for a 5K run at the end of the season. I love this time because it allows me to unplug and get off my computer screen in the afternoon, get in a little movement, and most importantly spend quality time connecting with my neighborhood community through the girls and their families, the after school staff, and the other Girls on the Run coaches. I was a runner in high school and my coaches were great mentors for me as I learned resilience and how to push myself. As a coach, I hope I can provide similar support and empowerment for the girls during such an important time of growth in their lives.

All of the Microsteps I’ve incorporated into my routine have made a significant impact on my well-being. I feel my best and most energized self when I fit in a yoga class or workout, properly hydrate, sleep at least eight hours, and incorporate some form of connection into my day, whether that is calling a friend or family members, seeing co-workers at the office,  meeting up with friends, or volunteering! Finding little ways to reset and recharge throughout the day has been a game-changer for my productivity and well-being.

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