15 Self-Care Routines to Nurture Your Mindset

Credits: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Self Care Matters

In our quest to uncover the most cherished self-care routines among professionals, we turned to founders and coaches for their personal strategies. From practicing daily gratitude to incorporating sports for mental clarity, discover these diverse self-care rituals that these experts rely on to nurture their mindsets.

Practice Daily Gratitude
A gratitude practice is one of the most powerful self-care routines I advise people to follow. This involves taking time each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for, big or small, and ideally writing it down. Gratitude helps ground us in an abundance mindset, which is a great mindset for an entrepreneur. It’s also a powerful antidote to anxiety and a scarcity mindset and helps to bring in more joy day-to-day. - Claire Merrifield, Co-Founder and Medical Director, Selph

Embrace Meditation and Social Connections
As a psychologist, self-care is essential to maintaining my own mental health and providing quality care to clients. One routine I value is daily meditation and mindfulness practice. Even 10–15 minutes of focused breathing helps reduce stress and increases awareness and empathy. With a clear, centered mindset, I can fully listen to clients and navigate difficult conversations with care and patience. Beyond meditation, staying socially connected is vital. I schedule time each week to call friends, have coffee with colleagues, and engage with my online community. Meaningful interactions with others recharge my motivation and fuel creativity in developing treatment plans.
Exercise also plays an important role in self-care. Walking my dog each morning starts my day on an energetic note and provides an opportunity to be outside in nature. On weekends, my husband and I like to go on bike rides or do yoga together. Activities that increase endorphins and flexibility equip me to handle the demands of my job with resilience. A balanced self-care routine has been essential in sustaining a long, fulfilling career helping clients achieve mental wellness. What we do for ourselves directly translates into how we can serve others. Nurturing a healthy mindset and modeling self-care allows me to approach each client with patience, empathy, and sound judgment. My advice is to start small by adding one new habit focused on yourself. - Dr. Elizabeth Barlow, Founder/CEO, Kinder Mind

Combine Qigong With Personalized Mentoring
One self-care routine I highly value for nurturing my mindset is my practice of Qigong and my meetings with my Human Design mentor.Qigong, with its gentle movements and focused breathing, helps me center myself, clear my mind, and cultivate inner peace. It’s a meditative practice that allows me to connect with my body and energy, reducing stress and enhancing my mental clarity. This routine not only keeps me physically balanced but also promotes emotional well-being, helping me to stay grounded and present. Meeting with my Human Design mentor has been equally transformative. These sessions offer personalized guidance that aligns with my unique design, helping me understand my natural strengths, challenges, and how to navigate life in a way that honors my authentic self. Ironically, being present is my greatest wound, which makes me value my time in Qigong even more!  The insights I gain from these meetings provide a deeper understanding of my purpose (helping people heal through sharing their resilient stories) and the best ways to approach decisions and interactions. Together, these practices form a holistic approach to self-care that nurtures my mind, body, and spirit. 
They empower me to face life’s uncertainties with resilience and clarity, making choices that align with my values and contribute to my personal growth. - Danielle Dahl, Co-Founder, Resilient Stories

Mindful Biking With Husky
I have a rescue Husky dog, and I bike ride with her every morning in the forest. Not only is it great exercise, but it is also a working meditation of mindfulness, as I clear my mind and just focus on my dog, the forest, nature, and being fully present. It is the one time of day when my mind is most clear. In the last few minutes of our ride, if I do have a thought, it is very insightful and powerful, and something that tends to manifest quickly. Starting off with such a clear and healthy mindset helps me stay conscious, focused, and in flow throughout as much of the rest of the day as possible.
- Michele Caron, Life Coach, Founder, MyLifeCoach.com

Meditate and Record Daily Wins
The two most important self-care routines I use to nurture my mindset are: 1) starting my day with a short meditation to clear my head and settle me into the day, and 2) at the end of the day, writing down a daily win. So often, we move on to the next project without celebrating our efforts and accomplishments. Both of these practices support the development of my growth mindset. - Laura Nguyen, Entrepreneur, Advisor, Certified Executive Coach, Solle Solutions

Use Positive Affirmations
I highly value positive affirmations as part of my self-care routine to nurture my mindset. Affirmations involve repeating inspiring and empowering sentences, expressions, or words. This practice helps shift the internal dialogue in our minds, which can often be critical and negative, and these thoughts usually surface without our conscious awareness. Research on the influence of self-affirmation suggests that positive affirmations can enhance creativity and insight, particularly in individuals under stress. Engaging in positive affirmations can boost performance, especially in tasks that require associative processing and creativity.  By reciting phrases like, “I can learn and develop,” “Nothing is unachievable,” and “I’m proficient,” I can shape my inner dialogue to be more positive and confident. Over time, these confident thoughts reinforce the belief that I can grow and achieve more in my learning journey, which is crucial for personal and professional development.
- Adam Klein, Certified Integral Coach® and Managing Director, New Ventures West

Unplug on Digital Detox Days
One self-care routine I really value for nurturing my mindset is taking “digital detox” days each week. On these days, I unplug from all screens — phones, computers, and TVs — and focus on reconnecting with nature, reading physical books, or diving into creative hobbies like painting or journaling. This time away from constant notifications helps clear my mind and reduces the intake of information. It allows me to recharge and think more freely, which is refreshing.
- Azam Mohamed Nisamdeen, Founder, Convert Chat

Set Boundaries for Mental Breaks
Working 40-plus-hour weeks with monthly travel took a toll on my body. When I returned from travel, I was back to the grind without any real significant rest. The road warrior mentality was the culture. I was struggling to meet deadlines and on the brink of burnout. Saying no was never in my vocabulary. During the holidays, instead of spending time with my family, I was in bed, resting, catching up on sleep, and giving my mind the rest it craved. I felt depleted physically and mentally. Lying there lifeless, I realized this had to change because I was not thriving. The self-care routine that I began to embrace was setting boundaries. It was the first step in creating space for my mental breaks. Taking mini-detox moments during my workday. It was not easy at first because I had to get comfortable with saying NO. Flexing my muscle to say no came with fears about being judged or not being assigned projects consistently. But as I practiced saying no, it allowed me to say yes to the things that I liked, it created space for me to reflect on my professional career growth and development, and helped to build my confidence to advocate for myself. Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Your Choice Coach

Foster Authentic Relationships
When it comes to nurturing my mindset, the self-care routine I value the most is fostering honest and authentic connections. As a health and wellness coach, I engage in many self-care practices, but the relationships I nurture and give to are invaluable. These connections allow me to see myself from another perspective, hear and be held by the truth, and take radical self-responsibility and ownership. I achieve this through various forms of coaching. I have a lifestyle medicine coach, a business coach, and a few very special friendships. These relationships provide me with the perspective shifts and emotional support necessary to maintain a healthy mindset. It’s essential to seek outside perspectives and to observe yourself more than you identify with your emotions or ego. This process requires a lot of grace, patience, and, perhaps most importantly, a mindset of curiosity. - Katie Carpenter, Health and Wellness Coach, Deliberate Directions

Meditation for Present Mindfulness
My self-care routine that I value the most is my daily meditation practice, especially when it comes to nurturing my mindset. I began a meditation practice 10 years ago when my mom died tragically. I started small, one minute a day. Gradually, I built up to five and eventually 10+ minutes. I find that it keeps me centered and less reactive. Meditation has helped me be more present, which then allows me to enjoy every moment of life instead of being depressed about the past or anxious about the future. Meditation also gave me the gift of the pause. When something is beginning to upset me, I can take a moment to pause and ask myself if it’s worth being upset over. It gives me a moment to respond instead of react. The pause allows me to feel in control of my emotions and to be more self-aware of how I carry myself in this world. All this helps to nurture and nourish my mindset. - Jalene Szuba, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Happiness Anchor

Recharge With Meditation and Family Time
My self-care routine centers around recharging and focusing. I prioritize activities like meditation, unplugging, and spending quality time with my family. This allows me to show up as the best version of myself for my clients each day! - Diane Howard, RN and Founder, Esthetic Finesse

Maintain Style and Organize Wardrobe
Style and organization are two major areas for me that need to be in check in order to nurture my mindset. I try to regularly sort through my wardrobe to remove items I no longer wear and to donate or sell them to make space for new pieces that reflect my current style. Updating your wardrobe seasonally with a few new pieces that excite you can really help to build self-confidence, which is a major component of self-care. I also like to invest in high-quality skincare products tailored to my skin type and to follow a daily routine that includes cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen. Things like regular haircuts can also make a significant difference in your overall appearance and confidence.
I also try to incorporate current fashion trends into my wardrobe in a way that feels authentic to myself. It can be fun and healthy to develop a signature look that represents your personal style, as this can become your go-to outfit when you need a confidence boost. It also makes putting yourself together in the mornings that much easier, and you can start your day on a good note. - Josh Bluman, Co-Founder, JJ Suspenders

Mindfulness and Personal Growth Activities
In my experience, I highly value a self-care routine that includes daily mindfulness practices, regular physical activity, and dedicated time for personal reflection and growth. Starting each day with a meditation session helps me clear my mind, set positive intentions, and cultivate a sense of calm and focus. Incorporating regular exercise, whether it’s yoga, running, or strength training, not only keeps me physically fit but also enhances my mood, reduces stress, and sharpens my mental clarity.
Also, I dedicate time each evening for personal reflection and journaling, which allows me to process my thoughts, track my progress, and set goals. I also prioritize reading and continuous learning to stimulate my mind and stay inspired. This comprehensive self-care routine helps me stay grounded, manage stress effectively, and maintain a balanced mindset, which is crucial for making informed decisions and leading my business with confidence and resilience.
- Elizabeth Nelson, Founder, Farm Fueled Nutrition

Start Day With Morning Walks
One self-care routine that I swear by for maintaining a balanced mindset is taking daily walks. Every morning, I spend about 20 minutes walking in my neighborhood or a nearby park. This little bit of exercise and fresh air does wonders for starting my day off right. These walks help clear my mind, reduce stress, and give me a chance to think through my plans for the day. It’s also a great way to get a bit of exercise in, which boosts my energy levels and overall mood. Since I started this routine, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my mental clarity, productivity, and ability to handle stress. It’s a simple habit that has made a huge difference in keeping a positive and resilient mindset. - Bradford Glaser, President & CEO, HRDQ

Incorporate Sports for Mental Clarity
As a business owner who is heavily involved in sports, I highly value incorporating physical activity into my self-care routine to nurture my mindset. I own a business, and I’m really into sports, which helps me manage not just my health but my mindset as well. When I play sports, it’s not just about getting away from the demands of my work; it also brings a sense of competition into my life in a really positive way. Staying active makes me mentally clear and resilient — two qualities I can’t do without as a leader. It’s like hitting a refresh button, re-energizing me whenever I dive back into work. And let’s not forget how sports teach us discipline and teamwork. These aren’t just good on the field; they’re amazing for business too, creating a spirit of collaboration and healthy competition among my team. By keeping a balance between work and physical health, I stay focused and motivated. This isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for effective leadership. It keeps me, and my team, always moving forward. - Adam Clark, Director, RugbyStuff.com