Six Self-Care Swaps for Peak Performance in Therapy

If you work with children who have complex communication needs, you already know this truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup.In this episode, I share six realistic self-care swaps I use from morning to night to support energy, focus, and emotional regulation in the work we do. These are not trends. They are practical, research-informed adjustments that help me show up fully present in therapy sessions, even during long, demanding days.As winter approaches and energy dips, comfort-food cravings rise. Instead of relying on willpower, I build better systems. In this episode, I walk you through:• A caffeine swap that supports focus without crashes • A protein-rich breakfast that stabilizes blood sugar • A comfort-food lunch that doesn’t derail energy • A 4 p.m. strategy for end-of-day slumps • A clean popcorn hack that actually works • A dessert and sleep routine that supports recovery, not burnoutSelf-care isn’t indulgence. It’s infrastructure. When your body and brain are supported, you can stay responsive, regulated, and fully present with the children and families you serve.A note for SIS Members and those considering joiningInside the SIS Membership, I design therapy the same way I design my self-care: with systems that remove friction.Members receive weekly, done-for-you, research-informed activities so they can spend their energy where it matters most: interaction, responsiveness, and connection. No scrambling. No reinventing the wheel. Just showing up ready.If you are ready to reduce decision fatigue, protect your energy, and innovate your practice alongside a community of practitioners doing the work in real classrooms and therapy rooms, you can join us here:👉 https://www.kellyvess.com/sisYou deserve support that actually supports you.Thank you for joining me at today’s drawing board for a better tomorrow, 💚 Kelly