Wellness Practices From the PEAK Team

Each year, PEAK closes its offices for the last week in December so that staff can focus on themselves and those nearest and dearest to them. As we prepare for a short winter’s rest, we invited staff to share the practices they’ve adopted to enrich their well-being with hopes that they help you to take much-needed time to focus on your own health and restoration now and throughout the year to come.

Seeking new experiences

“Self-care this fall for me has been trying out a new recipe each week as a way to show my appreciation to others, be creative, and make time for something I enjoy. It’s so easy for me to get into a rut of eating the same things or ordering out. I’ve tested out new recipes from making my own caramel popcorn, lemon curd, and verde pozole to a new chili recipe that I’ve enjoyed sharing with family and friends.” —Vanessa Elkan, Senior Knowledge and Learning Manager

“Part of my wellness journey in 2024 is pushing myself to try new things. I’ve found that when I open myself up to new experiences, I usually surprise myself for the better. This is something I want to be intentional about in the new year. First, pottery classes starting this January!”  —Caitlin McDanels, Marketing and Experience Manager

“One of my creative outlets is coloring and doodling. I love choosing colors and am fulfilled when I see the final product.” —Lita Ugarte Pardi, Knowledge and Learning Director

Getting physical

“I’ve tried journaling and meditating, and those practices don’t stick for me—I think I feel pressure to be profound or have very deep thoughts. I’ve switched my wellness practice to the physical and focused on finding ways to incorporate more movement into my day. I walk my dog at the beginning and end of the day, and I usually do a solo walk during my lunch break. I also make sure I never eat lunch at my desk or in front of my computer. I find changing up my scenery helps my focus and productivity, and I return to my desk refreshed and ready to go!” —Kristen Craig, Learning and Events Specialist

“What’s keeping me afloat is walks at sunset (when I can drag myself away from work), music in the background throughout my day, and candles burning and filling the space with spicy delight. I recently discovered acupuncture and active massage (not at the same time), and I have no words for the deep benefits I have received from trying alternative practices. Cheers to a wonderful, well, and nurturing year ahead!” —Satonya Fair, President and CEO

“I’ve been incorporating a bit more movement into my days in the form of stretching. On days when I have back-to-back meetings and can’t take a short walk to give myself a break, I’ll turn my camera off during a meeting for a few minutes and do some stretches.” —Lita Ugarte Pardi, Knowledge and Learning Director

“I started seeing a personal trainer this fall to help me get back into my pre-pandemic shape, which has become more important as I’m working from home indefinitely and I’m not constantly out and about walking like I was when I had to get to an office each day. Beyond building back a regular routine, having an accountability partner to keep me on track, the experience has been a continuous reminder that—while there’s plenty of free fitness information out there—my trainer’s specialized knowledge that he tailors to me and my needs is so worth the investment.” —Jesse Rhodes, Publications Editor

“Accept it’s ok to recharge. Sometimes this means a few moments away alone, grab a snack or taking a day off. When needed, I like to go full witch and walk barefoot in my backyard for natural grounding, breathe in fresh air, and meditate being a part of it all.” —Rafael Torres, Peer Group Specialist

Prioritizing digital wellness

“Deleting Instagram has made a tremendous difference in my life this year. I never realized how much the mindless scrolling was affecting my wellness, or how much time it was taking away from me just living life. It has been so refreshing to no longer feel the urge to check what other people are posting. Taking a break from social media has also encouraged me to be more proactive and intentional about keeping up with friends and family.” —Clare Larson, Senior Membership Manager

“This past year, I focused on managing my schedule more intentionally. Declining or rescheduling meetings when I needed time to focus, holding spaces for breaks throughout the day, and in general trying not to over-schedule myself. In doing this, I feel more energized and ready to do the work I love because I’ve given myself this space.”  —Caitlin McDanels, Marketing and Experience Manager

“Walk away from the phone. Experiencing the initial discomfort (and even anxiety) of disconnecting from this device has been a revelation. It’s remarkably easy to justify the importance of it being on, in hand, or nearby. But letting go feels even better. It frees me to look up and around and embrace the possibilities for free hands and an open mind.” —Betsy Reid, Senior Communications Director

“Tech tools are like the magical house elves of Hogwarts that simplify my work, like setting up Calendly to handle scheduling and placing blocks on my calendar to think. The biggest helper has been Asana. If I’m out on PTO, a coworker can step in to help and see a project or task status, which keeps worry at bay while I’m out.” —Rafael Torres, Peer Group Specialist

Making time to reflect

“Last November I started a practice of journaling one line a day for a whole year. As a new November approached, I went back and reread all the entries I wrote. There were plenty of highs and plenty of lows but, remarkably, I couldn’t remember most of the low points: what prompted them, what came of them. Experiences that I am sure felt bad at the time were a million miles away. Journaling helped remind me not to sweat the small stuff and to relish the beautiful things, the joyful things, that make our lives full.” —Kaitlyn Borysiewicz, Communications Manager

“Finding a moment to view something in nature each day has been a simple but surprising way to bring more stillness and mindfulness into my daily life. I enjoyed watching the dramatic color change this season. Slowing down this way seemed to emphasize the beauty of fall and the changing leaves.” —Altinay Cortes, Senior Community Engagement Manager

“I cleaned out every nook, garage and closet space this fall so that I could nestle in for the winter and have my mind calm.” —Davis Parchment, Partnerships Director

“Every morning, I start by expressing gratitude for my life, loved ones, and family. These affirmations help me remain positive and motivated throughout the day. In the evening, to relax and unwind, I enjoy solving my favorite word search puzzle, which helps me de-stress and bring in a calm vibe to end the day.” —Dionne Thompson, Chapter Specialist

“Professional coaching has been the epitome of work/personal wellness hybrid practice: it helped me focus on success strategies that work best for me and battle the dragons of perceived weaknesses in one’s head.” —Rafael Torres, Peer Group Specialist

Illustration by Bojana Boncheva, courtesy of The Greats