Being many things to many people may put designers at risk of putting themselves last. Here’s how to cultivate practices that nourish your mental health on and off the clock.

During the first wave of pandemic lockdowns, French researchers hypothesized that there would be an upside for creative professionals: more productivity. Yet upon studying the habits of more than 1,000 French citizens, the academics were surprised to find no uptick in creative output, something they attributed to a rise in anxiety. Of course, everyone felt anxious during the pandemic—but studies show that it might have been even more pronounced among creatives.

“If there’s been one constant over the last three years, it’s been change, stress and burnout,” says Melody Wilding, a New York–area executive coach and author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work. “For creative professionals, it’s been especially challenging, because creativity and sensitivity go hand in hand. Sensitive people’s nervous systems are highly attuned to their surroundings, taking in detail and nuance that other people miss. Having your finger on the pulse of your environment is how you get ideas and see opportunities, but it can also be very easy to become overloaded.”