For women in business, the daily balancing act is relentless. Meetings, deadlines, family commitments and community involvement often take precedence—leaving little room for personal wellness. Yet as several women-owned businesses in the River Region remind us, self-care isn’t indulgence—it’s essential to thriving at work, at home and everywhere in between.
In the business of life and work, women must make space for self-care. Because when women invest in their own well-being, they rise higher—not just for themselves but for everyone they lead and inspire.
3 Quick Self-Care Wins for Working Women
“Fit exercise into your schedule: It’s about quality, not quantity. Short, efficient workouts—like strength circuits, high-intensity intervals or even a brisk 20-minute walk—can make a huge difference.” — Tip from Gina Franklin, YMCA of Greater Montgomery
“Heal your hormones: Proper nutrition and exercise are imperative to balancing hormones, as well as improving all aspects of your health.” — Tip from Dr. Kathy Lindsey, Alabama Family Practice
“Invest in your confidence: From facials to daily sunscreen, small skincare rituals build big long-term benefits.” — Tip from Dr. Caroline Abolade, Aesthetica Montgomery Medspa
Self-care is not selfish—it’s strategic. For women in business, it may be the most important investment of all.
Skin Care & Confidence
Skin health is more than cosmetic; it’s a confidence booster that helps women show up fully at work. Dr. Caroline Abolade of Aesthetica Montgomery Medspa emphasizes the benefits of targeted treatments. De-stressing, especially for work-related issues, is a solo job that only you can do for yourself. To get a Hydrafacial is to relax and take the stress off your face, neck and shoulders—especially if you upgrade to a platinum Hydrafacial—with the added benefit of lymphatic drainage.”
Beyond professional treatments, simple daily habits can make a significant difference. “I’m busy, but not too much to take my face makeup off at the end of the day. Get into the habit of taking all that makeup off. It reduces breakouts for sure the next day! Take it off and slap on some retinol and moisturizer, and that next day glow? Unreal!” Dr. Abolade said.
Regular facials not only offer self-care but also boost confidence: “There’s no bigger confidence booster than knowing you are putting your best face out there always. Walk in that knowledge. Glow on. You’ve got this!” Early preventative care—like retinols, vitamin C, sunscreen, hyaluronic acid and even baby Botox—sets the stage for long-term benefits. “Start preventative skin care early and thank me later for all the benefits you’ll be reaping,” said Dr. Abolade.
Foundational Health & Hormonal Wellness
Internal wellness is the foundation for everything else. Regular checkups, screenings and preventive care are nonnegotiable for maintaining health and professional performance, especially when it comes to women dealing with menopause or peri-menopause. Dr. Kathy Lindsey of Alabama Family Practice said, “Support through wellness initiatives and education can help maintain a good work-life balance. Proper nutrition and exercise are imperative to balancing hormones and minimizing symptoms as well as improving all aspects of your health.”
Workplace stress can affect reproductive and hormonal health, making it essential for employers to normalize and support women’s health conversations. As careers progress, life stage wellness becomes critical. Many assume hot flashes and night sweats are the only signs of menopause, but early symptoms can include brain fog, muscle aches, anxiety and heart palpitations. Recognizing symptoms early is key to maintaining quality of life.
Dr. Lindsey said, “Workplaces providing education on the variety of symptoms during hormonal changes helps promote better understanding. Wellness programs help every coworker stay healthy and be more productive. Encourage each other to be their best.” Strategies such as hormone therapy, nutrition and exercise can balance symptoms while workplace accommodations and open dialogue foster inclusion and reduce stigma.
Restoring Energy & Stress Management
Cutting-edge therapies offer additional support for busy women managing fatigue and stress. Taylar McMillian of Optimize Medical Wellness said, “NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell of the body. As we age or when we experience prolonged stress, our natural NAD levels decline, which can contribute to fatigue, brain fog and reduced resilience. NAD infusions deliver this molecule directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion and allowing for higher, more effective levels in the body.”
Many women juggling careers, families and personal goals experience periods of exhaustion that sleep or caffeine alone cannot fix. McMillian said that NAD infusions may help by:
- Supporting cellular energy production for more sustainable energy.
- Promoting mental clarity and focus, which are often diminished during burnout.
- Assisting in stress recovery, as NAD plays a role in balancing neurotransmitters and reducing oxidative stress.
- Enhancing overall resilience, giving women an added layer of support during demanding seasons of life.
McMillian stresses that NAD is complementary, not a replacement for lifestyle habits: “Combined with high-quality nutrition, restorative sleep, regular movement and mindfulness practices, advanced therapies like NAD may help women build a stronger foundation for sustained energy and well-being.”
Movement & Accountability
Physical activity ties all aspects of self-care together, improving productivity, resilience and mood. Gina Franklin, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the YMCA of Greater Montgomery, said, “Regular exercise reduces stress, clears mental clutter and improves overall energy levels. For women in leadership roles, clarity and stamina are essential for making sound decisions and handling high-pressure situations with confidence.” Even short, efficient workouts—like strength circuits, high-intensity intervals or a brisk 20-minute walk— can have a meaningful impact.
Seeking an encouraging community to support your fitness goals helps motivate progress and consistency. Community spaces like the YMCA provide both accountability and stress relief: “Community spaces create accountability because you’re surrounded by others who are working toward their own goals, and that encouragement is contagious,” Franklin said.
Over time, integrating fitness into self-care builds confidence, strengthens the body and protects against burnout, ensuring women can sustain health, energy and leadership for years to come.
Holistic Self-Care for Overall Wellness
Self-care is multi-dimensional, encompassing skincare, reproductive health, hormonal balance, restorative therapies and movement. Prioritizing wellness isn’t optional—it’s an investment in long-term success and workplace performance. Women who intentionally care for themselves set the standard for balance, resilience and leadership, demonstrating that thriving professionally and personally is not just possible but essential.
