When Leaders Return: Belinda’s Reset and the Real Work of Self-Care

When Belinda told me she was headed back to work, she was radiant, eager to serve her clients, rebuild rhythms, and step back into the leadership space she loves. A few weeks later, she messaged me with a smile and a truth: “I’m grateful to be back, and some of my old patterns are trying to come back with me.”

That’s not failure. That’s wisdom. Reentry is where the real work starts.

The Whisper Before the Shout

In our sessions, we look for the early cues, what I call the whispers, that the nervous system is sliding into brace mode:

• Breathing shifts from deep to shallow
• Jaw and shoulders tighten by mid-afternoon
• The calendar loses white space
• “I’ll pause later” becomes the default

Catching these whispers early is how leaders prevent a shout (burnout, reactivity, misalignment). It’s also how they model sustainable performance for their teams.

Emotional Release as Maintenance (Not Triage)

Belinda and I treat emotional release like you’d treat strategy reviews or one-on-ones: routinely, not just when there’s a fire.

In session, we don’t rehash stories; we meet what the body is holding right now. Through breathwork, gentle somatic work, and guided awareness, I watch the shift happen: shoulders drop, breath deepens, warmth returns to the hands, and the system moves from bracing to softening. Belinda leaves steadier, clearer, and more available for the work that matters.

What We’re Practicing Now That She’s Back

We’ve designed Belinda’s reentry protocol the same way we’d design a leadership plan: clear, simple, repeatable.

1) Micro-Pauses That Actually Happen

• • 30/30 Rule: 30 seconds before and after each meeting.
    • Before: two slow breaths, unclench jaw, set one intention.
    • After: two slow breaths, name one feeling, one next step.
  • Longer-Exhale Breathing: Inhale 4, exhale 6 for two minutes between blocks.
  • Soften by 5%: Find one braced area and soften it slightly, making it tiny, real, and consistent.

2) Boundary Scripts (Kind and Clear)

• “I can support this, but not on that timeline. Here’s what I can commit to by Friday.”
• “I’m stepping away for ten minutes to reset. I’ll respond after.”

3) Calendar Architecture

• Two daily white-space windows (25 minutes) that don’t move
• No more than two consecutive output meetings
• Recovery lunch: 20 minutes, device-free (timer on)

4) Debriefs That Build Capacity

End of day, three prompts:

• Where did I feel most braced?
• What helped me soften?
• What will I do differently tomorrow?

This turns self-care into a leadership learning loop.

Why This Matters for Leadership (Not Just Wellness)

When leaders regulate their nervous systems, everything gets better:

• Listening sharpens; people feel seen
• Decisions get cleaner; less rework, more follow-through
• Boundaries hold without drama
• Teams mirror the steadiness they experience

Belinda develops leaders for a living. Her presence is part of the product. Practicing self-care isn’t about perfection; it’s about integrity leading from what she lives, not just what she teaches.

A 2-Minute Reset You Can Use Today

1. Sit tall, one hand on chest, one on belly.
2. Inhale for 4; exhale for 6 (8–10 cycles).
3. Ask: Where am I bracing?
4. Soften that area by 5%.
5. Name one need you can meet today (water, breath, boundary, brief walk).

Small, consistent resets beat occasional heroic efforts every time.

If You’re Returning, Too

If you’re stepping back into work and noticing old patterns creeping in, you’re not broken; you’re human, and you can design your reentry.

• Book an Emotional Release Session (virtual or in-person) 
• Missed the last blog post? Watch James’s interview on what happens when “push through” becomes the default and how he’s rebuilding with care. 

With care and steadiness,

Teresa

Sirrine Yoga

P.S. If you lead others, your nervous system sets the room. Make it intentional.