Tara DeVeaux, Chief Marketing Officer, BBDO New York
“I go to the gym 4-5 days a week. I hate going, but afterward, I’m always glad I did. I have more energy throughout the day and because I started by day that way, I feel more productive all day long. We black women often have a family history of health issues–high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease–exercise has a positive impact on all of these so besides keeping me looking good, I hope it will help me live a longer, healthier life. That’s reason enough to get up at 5 a.m.!”
What made her get into this activity: “Once I hit 40, I started naturally waking up around 5 a.m. I would toss and turn until the alarm went off an hour later. One morning I just said to myself that I could have done something productive with that time. I was mad that I’d wasted it. And now that my kids are older, I can slip out while they’re still asleep and trust they’ll be dressed and ready for school by the time I get back. For a single mom of two, that newfound independence is something to celebrate.”
Why she thinks it’s important that professional women make it a priority to wind down and take some time out:Â “Both men and women should make it a priority to wind down. I just think it’s we women that need the reminder to do it. Many men already make it a priority and they don’t feel bad about it.
In my experience, I find that women can always think of something else we should do in place of self-care. But we have to make ourselves the priority. Stress kills, so we must take care of mind, body, and soul before anything else. If for no other reason than we are the lifeblood of the family. So taking care of ourselves really is taking care of the entire family.”
Angelia E. Pelham, CHRO, Cinemark Holdings Inc.
“I am naturally “wired†so it is not easy for me to turn “off,†but when I do it is during those special family moments with my husband of 28 years and my 14-year-old daughter. When we spend family time together, going to dinner; watching a movie; or simply laughing and talking, I am most relaxed and at peace. My family and I enjoy traveling; we have visited 15 countries in the last few years.
I also find peace through my faith in Jesus Christ; it is during times of worship and prayer that I find greater perspective and ultimate comfort. ”
What made her get into this activity: “I love to travel. When I was young, we were very poor so I could only imagine the places that I now get the opportunity to visit. I want my daughter to see and experience the world; I enjoy watching her experience new culture and diverse people beyond the borders of her normal surroundings.”
Why she thinks it’s important that professional women make it a priority to wind down: “Mind, body, and soul–we all need to nourish and nurture all three. Much like a three-legged stool, in order for it to function effectively and do what is was created to do, the three legs must be properly secured in place. The same holds true with mind, body, and soul–these three must be securely in place so that we can fully function in our “calling†and do what we were created to do.”
Mareilé Bayard Cusack, SVP, General Counsel, Ariel Investments
(Mareilé Bayard Cusack, one of Black Enterprise’s “Most Powerful Women in Business.†Photo Credit: Ariel Investments)
“I turn to two activities on a daily basis: I exercise and I read. In particular, I love running, taking long vigorous walks, and doing yoga. When I’m not working or exercising, I spend my time reading. I love reading historical novels and biographies; I am currently reading Chernow’s book on Alexander Hamilton and really enjoying learning about our founding fathers.”
What she gets most out of it:Â “Both exercise and reading enable me to relax, greedily take a moment for myself, and gain greater perspective.”
Why she thinks it’s important that professional women make it a priority to wind down and take some time out: “I believe that taking a moment for yourself is important not just to recharge, but to gain better perspective, to prioritize, and to make better, more thoughtful decisions. The demands of our professions often require immediate responses, but I believe that we all make better, more thoughtful decisions when we are able to take time away from the job and recharge, think, and center ourselves.”
Marie Perry, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Jamba Juice
(Marie Perry, one of Black Enterprise’s “Most Powerful Women in Business.†Photo Credit: Jamba Juice)
“More recently, I’ve been learning more and more about the power and importance of sleep. I have been diligent about protecting my sleep time to ensure I get at least seven hours a night.”
What she gets most out of it: “When I get the right amount of sleep, I’m more cognizant, aware, and in tune with my surrounding and simply am happier.”
Why she thinks it’s important that professional women make it a priority to wind down and take some time out: “Your body is not a machine, but sometimes we treat it that way. Trying to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of an already full day. This is one of few times that less is truly more and that we need to ensure we get the right amount of sleep for our bodies and brain to reset.”