Self-Care When You Care About Community

For those of us deeply committed to caring for others — our families, our clients, or our communities — the idea of adding self-care to an already packed schedule can feel like one more burden. But real self-care isn’t about adding tasks. It’s about creating moments of presence that help us stay grounded, compassionate, and effective in the work we do.

When we give so much of ourselves, stress can quietly build up and take a toll on our mental and physical health. Taking just a few minutes each day to center ourselves isn’t selfish — it’s what sustains us emotionally and physically.

One teacher who has inspired my own thinking is Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Buddhist monk and peace activist. His teachings on mindfulness remind us that peace begins with something as simple as our breath.

Source: Photo by Dan Carlson on Unsplash

Try this brief exercise, called box breathing:

• Inhale for four counts

• Hold for four counts

• Exhale for four counts

• Hold again for four counts

Repeat this for a few cycles, and you may notice your body and mind begin to settle. Find ways to make this practice work for you. If you don't like the count of four, adjust it to what feels best for your body. Perhaps you want to take your breaths in a quiet setting, with your eyes closed. Or maybe the box breathing exercises work best for you when you are driving, or listening to music. However you choose to do it, it’s a small but powerful practice to bring yourself back to the present moment and reduce stress.

Thich Nhat Hanh once wrote:

“Waking up this morning, I smile.
24 brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with the eyes of compassion.”

This gentle reminder invites us to approach each day — and each person — with awareness, gratitude, and kindness. When we nurture our own well-being, we strengthen our capacity to care for others with patience and love.