In fact, that “always on” mindset isn’t just a feeling. It shows up in the data, too. Recent research from ZeroBounce found that more than half of professionals check work email outside regular hours, and nearly three in four feel pressure to respond even when they’re off the clock.
But here’s the question more founders are starting to ask: what does taking care of yourself actually look like when you’re the one responsible for everything?
For some, it’s movement. For others, it’s stillness. And sometimes, it’s simply carving out a small ritual that brings you back to yourself.
We asked founders and leaders to share the one thing they do regularly that truly feels like self-care – and how it helps them stay focused.
Kristine Genovese: “I’m a big fan of easing into my day.”
“I’m a big fan of easing into my day. I enjoy my daily ritual of meditation, journaling, sometimes a card pull for more inspiration, and definitely savoring my morning coffee.
When I do that, I’ve set myself up for success because I began my day with my own sacred ritual. It puts me in a great place to handle whatever comes my way. In fact, my word of the year for 2026 is sacred. My personal goal is to allow every activity to feel sacred, special, and to embody that essence in my work each day.”
— Kristine Genovese, CEO of the Soul Intelligence Method
Liviu Tanase: “I play chess every day.”
“I have a couple of simple rituals I don’t negotiate with. I play chess every day. It helps me slow down and step away from the constant noise of running a business. And once a week, I go to the movies with my wife. That time is important because it pulls me out of work mode completely.
When you’re building something, it’s easy to stay ‘on’ all the time. But I’ve learned that if you don’t create those moments where your mind can reset, your decision-making suffers. These small habits help me come back clearer and always give me something to look forward to.”
— Liviu Tanase, founder and CEO of ZeroBounce, an email deliverability company
Albert Bou Fadel: “Nimbleness is the name of the game.”
“I totally agree, running a business comes with its own set of challenges. As the business grows, so do the challenges and demands. What I personally learned through my extensive experience in construction and now as a tech founder is that you need to master the skill of adaptation.
I try to stick to a schedule. For me, working out in the afternoon works best, as I can release the stress of the day in those gym sessions. But different days offer different challenges, and the trick is to have a process in place to catch those changes and adjust on the fly. If I miss an afternoon session and can’t work out tomorrow, I’ll go in the morning instead, or I’ll adjust my diet to compensate.
Nimbleness is the name of the game, especially when it’s very hard to commit to a set-in-stone schedule.”
— Albert Bou Fadel, Construction Expert and CEO of SmartBarrel
Chelsea Jay: “I protect my mornings.”
“Honestly, I had to learn this the hard way. I spend most days inside other people’s career stress – their frustrations, their setbacks, the weight of feeling stuck at a bad job. It catches up with you if you’re not paying attention to yourself at the end of the day.
What I do now is protect my mornings. Before taking any calls, before I’m in anyone else’s situation, I take time that’s just mine. Sometimes I go for a walk, sometimes I sit with coffee, not reaching for my phone right away. What it does is give me a version of myself that’s actually present by the time I start work.
When I skip it, I’ve noticed I’m already behind in my own head before the day has even asked anything of me. That’s not a good place to be when someone needs you to really listen to them.
— Chelsea Jay, Certified Professional Coach and HR Expert at Resume Coach
Tracy Doyle: “I take 15 quiet minutes just for myself.”
“Running a business can absolutely consume you, especially if you’re driven by the belief that if you’re not involved in everything, it won’t succeed. I know that pattern well.
The one practice that truly feels like taking care of myself is setting a clear morning intention before the day begins — something I write about in ‘Life Storms – Finding Your Clear Sky’ and teach through the Aurora Method.
Before I check email or touch my phone, I take 15 quiet minutes just for myself. I reflect, I breathe, and I decide how I want to show up that day. Not what I need to accomplish, but who I want to be while accomplishing it.
That time is mine. It reminds me that I am more than my role, my responsibilities, or my inbox.
It helps me move into the day grounded instead of reactive. Clear instead of scattered. Steady instead of driven by urgency.
For me, self-care isn’t about stepping away from leadership. It’s about strengthening the person who leads.”
— Tracy Doyle, founder of the Aurora Method and Author of Life Storms
Dr. Letitia Wright: “These experiences pull me away from screens.”
“Running a business demands so much of you that intentional self-care becomes non-negotiable.
I regularly schedule massages, cow hugging sessions, and three-day trips away from home to truly reset. While my home is lovely, it’s too tempting to slip into ‘staycation productivity
mode,’ so getting myself out of the house has become essential. These experiences share one powerful thread in that they are completely offline and pull me away from screens, notifications, and the constant hum of business thinking.
The physical connection of a massage or even the grounding simplicity of cow hugging brings me back into my body in a way that no meditation app ever could. Returning from even a short trip, I feel like a fuller, more present version of myself which ultimately makes me a better entrepreneur.”
— Dr. Letitia Wright, CEO of Wright Place Studiosand host of Go Shop America
Jamie Dorley: “I’m making fun a priority.”
“As a busy CEO, my time often feels limited. One of the things I do regularly is to reevaluate where I’m spending my time, who am I spending it with. I also ask myself, is it going to bring me the return I’m looking for – regardless of whether that’s investing in a personal relationship, a client relationship or an activity to support the business.
Creating balance is always challenging as I run two businesses and have personal and family obligations that mean a lot to me.
This year, I made a conscious choice to invest in myself and my relationships. One way I do that is by scheduling and committing to making fun a priority – just like I would a business meeting.
Some of my fun activities are prayer, reading, journaling, Soul Intelligence, meditation, working out, pilates, and time with my life coach. Other fun activities I look forward to include spending time with my partner, kids, friends and enjoying the beach, boating, golf, attending concerts, watching sports, traveling, sharing meals and lots of laughs together.”
— Jamie Dorley, CEO of Nutritional Frontiers