“Unleashing Happiness” a monthly blog by Karen Lee Stevens

Director of Wellness Programs, Karen Lee Stevens tackles topics related to mental health and the human-animal bond, along with a healthy dose of humor (because let’s face it, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying!).

BLOG POST #35 – Self-Care Sundays

July 9, 2026
by KAREN LEE STEVENS

There’s an old saying that goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I have a slightly different philosophy: “When the going gets tough, the tough take a nap.”

Or maybe that’s just me!

We’ve somehow reached the point where slowing down feels like falling behind. We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, pack every spare minute with something “productive,” and then wonder why we feel stressed, anxious, or completely drained.

These days, I’m dabbling in a radical new approach: practicing what I preach.

As someone who teaches wellness for a living, I spend a lot of time encouraging other people to make time for themselves. But I’m also the first to admit that following my own advice doesn’t always come naturally. Like everyone else, I can get caught up in deadlines, emails, meetings, and the endless list of things that seem to need my attention.

That’s why I’ve made self-care part of my weekly routine instead of something I squeeze in if I happen to have a free minute. (Spoiler alert: that free minute never shows up.)

For me, that means resistance training to keep my body strong as I get older. It means regular massages to work out the knots before they start sending complaints. It means long walks with Buffy, where we both slow down enough to notice the birds, the flowers, and whatever interesting smell has completely captured Buffy’s attention that day. Those walks aren’t just exercise—they remind me that my to-do list can wait a little while. Buffy and the birds certainly aren’t in a hurry.

I’ve learned that self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. It simply has to happen.

That idea inspired one of my favorite new offerings at Therapy Dogs of America: Self-Care Sundays.

Each month, I lead a virtual meditation and sound bath designed to help our volunteers and staff pause, breathe, and begin the week feeling a little more rested and renewed. We set aside our phones, our calendars, and that little voice that’s already planning Monday morning’s work schedule.

One of my favorite moments is seeing all the smiles at the end of the session. There’s something special about watching people log off feeling a little lighter than when they signed on. No, we don’t solve every problem in one session. But sometimes that’s all it takes to reset and begin the week with a little more peace.

The truth is, life is still waiting when the session ends. The emails are still there. The laundry didn’t magically fold itself. But somehow those things seem a little easier after you’ve given yourself permission to rest.

So maybe the old saying deserves a little update after all.

When life gets tough, maybe the tough don’t always get going. Sometimes they just need to slow down, take a deep breath…and yes, maybe even take that nap.

If you’re looking for a peaceful way to wrap up your weekend and begin the week feeling refreshed, I’m excited to share that I am now opening my Self-Care Sunday Sound Baths to the public. Whether you need a break from a busy week or you’re simply curious about sound baths, I’d love to have you join me!

Visit our WEBSITE for more information, or email me at karen@therapydogssb.org for upcoming class dates.

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