Self-care: we hear that buzz word so often, but what does it mean? Bubble baths, pedicures, Netflix binges, comfort foods? Perhaps. But when it comes to using self-care as a tool for fortifying our lives, it’s actually less about indulgence and more about intentionally building the capacity and resilience we need to show up fully. Many of us see self-care escape the stress of daily life—little treats we “deserve” to counteract what feels difficult, painful, or arduous. Others perceive...

Whether we like it or not, to be human is to experience stress—at least every now and again. Whether it’s a tight deadline, a difficult relationship dynamic, the impact of a traumatic experience, or the cumulative effect of the noise and pressure of daily life, those feelings can hit hard. An all too common reaction for many of us? Avoidance. We try to dodge discomfort (“If I just stay busy, I won’t have time to feel my feelings!”), ignore painful emotions (cue the Lego movie theme...