Solstice Self-Care for Creatives

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year but to me, it also feels like a spiritual checkpoint. It’s a natural invitation to pause, take a deep breath, and realign.

I’ve often found that the rhythms of the season reflect the rhythms within us. In winter, we tend to turn inward, we slow down, get into cozy routines. Spring brings a sense of newness and fresh starts. And now, with the solstice and summer’s full light, it’s like we’re being nudged into motion, creativity, and expression. When we work in creative fields, recognizing these natural shifts can help us ride the waves instead of pushing against them.

Too often, especially in fast-paced environments, we override our own cycles in the name of productivity. We power through, stay plugged in, and forget that sustainable creativity comes from rhythm, not just hustle.

In honour of this seasonal shift, I’m sharing a few of my go-to self-care practices. Simple, grounding tools that can help us reconnect to our energy, reset the nervous system, and move into the second half of the year with more clarity, creativity, and intention.

Let’s Start With Breath.

When things feel overwhelming, breath is one of the best and most effective ways to come back to ourselves and back to the present. Something I love to do, that I've carried with me from my yoga practice, is Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing. Nadi Shodhana helps calm the nervous system, clear mental fog, and support focus and inner balance. 

In Sanskrit  “Nadi” means “channel” or “energy pathway”, “Shodhana” means “cleansing” or “purification.” So, Nadi Shodhana is essentially a purification of the energy channels that’s intended to bring balance and clarity to the body and mind.

So how do we do it?

1. Sit comfortably with a straight spine. Let your left hand rest on your knee, palm facing up. (this open-handed position can help invite in calm, balance, or simply a sense of receptivity)
2. Bring your right hand to your face. Use your right thumb to gently close your right nostril.
3. Inhale slowly and deeply through your left nostril.
4. Close your left nostril with your right ring finger, then release your right nostril.
5. Exhale slowly and completely through your right nostril.
6. Inhale through the right nostril.
7. Close the right nostril again with your thumb, open the left nostril, and exhale through the left.

That’s one full round. Continue this pattern for 1–2 minutes or longer if it feels good. Try to keep your breath smooth and even, without  force or strain. Let your awareness follow the path of your breath as it flows side to side, like a gentle pendulum.

Reflect With Intention. 

The solstice is a natural checkpoint. It’s a pause in the year where we can reflect not just on productivity, but alignment. As creatives, we’re often juggling ideas, clients, and output. But every now and then, we need to zoom out and ask deeper questions about the work we’re doing and how it feels.

Try journaling on a few of these prompts:

• What have I outgrown in the first half of the year?
• Where do I feel most creatively alive?
• Where in my process am I overcomplicating things?
• Which clients, collaborations, or formats feel most energizing to me lately?
• What have I been avoiding creatively and why?
• What would my work look like if I trusted my instincts more?
• If I had one full day to create anything with no pressure or deadline, what would I do?

Even five minutes of reflection can give you a clearer sense of direction and help you realign with your true creative voice.

Protect Your Spark. 

Creativity is personal. It’s energy. And if we’re always giving it away without replenishing, it dims. One of the most powerful things we can do for our nervous system, our inspiration, and our creative spark is to unplug, even briefly. Step away from your screen. Go outside. Breathe fresh air. Leave your phone behind for ten minutes. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, just intentional. These tiny tech breaks will make space for something new and real to emerge. 

Move to Shift Your Energy.

Last but not least, sometimes we just need to move. Movement is an underrated tool for creative flow. If you’re feeling stuck, foggy, or sluggish, don’t force the idea. Instead, move your body! Energy needs to move through us in order to be expressed. It doesn’t have to be a full yoga flow or workout, just something to shake things up and get things moving. 

Try this simple movement break, whether you’re in the office or out on a tech pause:

Forward Fold + Shoulder Opener

1. Stand up tall, feet hip-width apart.
2. Interlace your fingers behind your back (or hold opposite elbows if that’s more accessible).
3. Inhale to open your chest, lifting your heart and drawing your shoulders back.
4. Exhale slowly and fold forward from the hips, letting your arms stretch up and over. Option: If the shoulder stretch doesn’t feel good, release your hands to the floor or to your shins. You can also let your arms dangle and gently sway side to side.
5. Soften your knees as needed. Let your head hang heavy.
6. Breathe here for 3–5 slow breaths, feeling the back of the body release.
7. Slowly roll up to standing, one vertebra at a time. Let your head come up last.

This gentle inversion brings fresh blood to the brain, opens the shoulders, and helps release tension built up from sitting or scrolling.

As we move through the solstice and into the second half of the year, may we remember that tending to our energy is tending to our creativity. These practices aren’t about doing more, they’re about creating space to come back to yourself, so your ideas can flow from a place that’s clear, connected, and alive.

Happy Solstice, Happy Creating! 

Disclaimer:

The breathing techniques and movement suggestions shared in this blog are intended for general wellness and informational purposes only. Please listen to your body and practice within your own comfort and ability. If you have high blood pressure or hypertension, breath retention is not recommended. If you have any medical conditions, injuries, or concerns, consult a healthcare or wellness professional before trying new breath-work or physical exercises.