At the Pink Granite Legislative Summit, we covered a wide range of topics designed to empower and support women working in and around the Texas Capitol. Next up in the “Lessons Learned from our Legislative Summit” series, Alison Mohr Bolware, the Director of Policy at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, shared a powerful presentation on self-care strategies during Session.

A former House staffer and experienced Capitol professional, Alison brought warmth, realness and wisdom to a conversation we often push to the back burner during such a high-pressure season: self-care. Here’s what we learned:

High Stakes, High Pressure

Legislative Sessions are intense. For many women working in and around the Pink Dome, it’s a season marked by long hours, emotional highs and lows and constant demands on our time and energy. It can be incredibly rewarding – but also deeply draining.

Alison reminded us that mental health is no different than physical health. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to recognize that something feels off. Stress, anxiety and exhaustion can show up in emotional, physical and even behavioral ways – difficulty sleeping, irritability, a racing heart or even just the sense that you’re always “on edge.” None of these mean you’re failing – they mean you’re human.

The truth is, even the most passionate and capable among us can burn out. And when we ignore our mental health, it doesn’t just hurt us – it impacts our work, our teams and our ability to lead and support others effectively.

Self-Care Is a Skill

What we took from Alison’s talk was that self-care isn’t always about luxurious downtime – it’s about the small, sustainable practices that help us stay grounded in a high-pressure environment.

• Drink water (yes, again).
• Eat real meals, not just snacks.
• Get outside when you can – sunlight matters.
• Step away from your desk. Take actual breaks.
• Limit caffeine after noon (hard, but worth it).

Beyond the basics, it’s also about decision-making. Reduce the mental load where possible – wear the same outfit combo, meal prep something simple, create routines that save energy for the bigger stuff. As Alison put it, “Decide once.”

And don’t underestimate the power of boundaries. Set your “non-work hours” and unplug your way. Know that saying “no” isn’t weakness – it’s wisdom.

Permission to Prioritize Yourself

Perhaps the most powerful lesson? That it’s okay to pause. To unplug. To ask for help. In a culture that often celebrates hustle at the expense of health, giving ourselves permission to slow down is revolutionary – and necessary.

Alison emphasized that we are not our job titles. We’re not our inboxes or deadlines. And while we all represent our offices and organizations in this work, we’re still whole people outside of it.

Create spaces for safe venting – whether that’s with work friends, people outside the Capitol, or a trusted therapist. And when things feel overwhelming, don’t rush to respond. Take a breath. Wait five minutes. Sit on it.

What We’re Carrying Forward

We left the session with a simple but meaningful call to action: Create your own personal mantra. Something that grounds you in the chaos, something true when nothing else feels certain:

• “I am doing the best I can.”
• “I am capable – even when I make mistakes.”
• “I am more than my job.”
• “I am strong.”

Write it down. Stick it on your desk. Carry it in your purse. Let it be a small reminder that you are not alone, and that your well-being is worth protecting.

Because whether you’re leading a policy initiative, supporting a team or managing the day-to-day behind the scenes – you can’t pour from an empty cup. And you don’t have to do it alone.