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 burnout
Self-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 joining
Inside 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/sis
You deserve support that actually supports you.
Thank you for joining me at today’s drawing board for a better tomorrow,
💚 Kelly
