In a world that prizes constant productivity, author and advocate Dana Priyanka Hammond has learned that true strength lies not in endless striving but in daily restoration. For Hammond, self-care is not a luxury or trend; it is an act of survival, healing, and balance. Her understanding of this truth comes not from theory but from lived experience shaped by trauma, resilience, and an ongoing commitment to emotional wellness.
Learning to Pause After a Life of Pushing Through
Hammond’s early life was marked by instability and survival. Born in Pune, India, she was abandoned as a child and later adopted into the United States, carrying with her the invisible weight of loss and identity displacement, and these formative years instilled in her a sense of endurance, the drive to persist no matter the cost. But endurance, she later discovered, can also mask exhaustion.
As her life evolved into adulthood, navigating single motherhood, higher education, and her work as a mental health paraprofessional, she began to recognize that healing does not happen in constant motion. It requires deliberate pauses.
“ When we’ve spent our lives surviving, ” she has shared in interviews and talks, “ slowing down feels unnatural. But it’s the only way, actually, to feel safe again. ”
Self-Care as a Foundation, Not a Reward
For Hammond, daily self-care is not something earned after a long day’s work; it is the foundation that allows her to keep showing up for her daughter, her writing, and the people her story inspires.
Her mornings begin with quiet reflection or prayer, grounding her in gratitude before the day’s noise begins. Self-care, in her view, also means maintaining healthy boundaries. That includes taking breaks from social media, setting aside time for solitude, and learning to say no without guilt. It’s about recognizing that presence, not productivity, creates real connection and creativity.
Integrating Faith and Healing
A consistent theme across Hammond’s books, including Abandoned But Not Forgotten (2020) and Against All Odds: The Enemy’s Plan and God’s Purpose (2025), is that faith and healing work hand in hand. Her Christian faith is central to her self-care practice. Prayer, scripture study, and reflection give her a sense of grounding and help her reframe challenges through grace rather than fear.
She has often described this rhythm of faith-based self-care as a “ spiritual recharge,” a daily practice that reminds her of her worth and purpose beyond external success. It aligns with her message to her readers and followers: that healing is both emotional and spiritual, and that slowing down is an act of trust in something greater than oneself.
Balancing Advocacy and Emotional Sustainability
Hammond’s career in mental health advocacy, foster care reform, and trauma awareness requires deep emotional engagement. Hearing others’ stories of pain and resilience can be both meaningful and draining. Daily self-care is how she maintains emotional sustainability in this work.
Whether that looks like a short walk in nature, journaling, or simply sitting in silence, these small rituals keep her connected to her sense of peace. “ You cannot pour from an empty cup, ” she reminds others, a phrase that, for her, has become more than a cliché. It’s a reminder that empathy begins with self-respect.
A Message for Others
Hammond’s emphasis on self-care extends beyond personal necessity; it is part of her advocacy. Through her Dana Speaks™: Heal at Your Pace community, she encourages others, particularly women recovering from trauma or significant life transitions, to embrace gentle, realistic self-care practices that fit their daily lives.
Her message is simple: healing isn’t linear, but it is possible when nurtured consistently. Taking a few minutes each day to breathe, reflect, and reconnect is not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of worth.
Continuing Practice
For Dana Priyanka Hammond, self-care is an evolving discipline, not a perfect routine, but a commitment to honoring her humanity. In her words, it’s “ the quiet work of rebuilding trust with yourself. ”
Each day, through stillness, prayer, writing, and mindful living, she reinforces that healing is not a one-time event. It’s a daily act of courage that keeps her grounded in her purpose as both a writer and a survivor.
Author Bio:
Dana Priyanka Hammond is an American author, speaker, and advocate based in Tacoma, Washington. She is best known for her memoir Abandoned But Not Forgotten (2020) and her faith-based nonfiction Against All Odds: The Enemy’s Plan and God’s Purpose (2025). Through her work and her online community, Dana Speaks™ promotes resilience, mental health awareness, and faith-centered healing.
