10/29/2026
Mankato Acupuncture & Menari Body Works gifted our BENCHS staff and volunteers a beautiful sound bath experience, and I am still carrying gratitude for the care they showed us.
From the soft lighting to the gorgeous space and the enchanting variety of instruments, every detail invited us to slow down. For a little while, there was nothing to solve, no next task to rush toward. We could simply close our eyes, listen, and let our bodies settle. The sound therapists brought so much knowledge, warmth, and intention to the experience, making something unfamiliar feel welcoming.
In animal welfare, our hearts are always reaching toward someone who needs us. We carry worry home. We remember the difficult cases, the lives we couldn’t save, and the ones still waiting. We love this work, and sometimes that love makes it hard to recognize how tired we have become. Burnout is incredibly common, and learning to give our bodies and minds a break matters deeply.
Coming from a mental health background, I care about helping our team find ways to rest. But my reasons are personal, too. The stress, anxiety, and workaholic tendencies of my twenties left me with permanent, lifelong damage. I wish I had known then how to listen to my body. I wish I had understood that I could care deeply, work hard, and still give myself permission to stop.
I learned many of those lessons later in life, after the consequences had already become part of mine. That is why connecting with self care providers in our community means so much to me. I want our staff and volunteers to have the knowledge, access, and encouragement I didn’t have. I want them to discover what helps them breathe a little easier and feel more at home in their own bodies. I want them to have room for happiness, strength, and a life beyond the work they give so much of themselves to.
For many on our team, this was their first sound bath. Seeing their excitement about discovering another way to relax was such a gift. Something that once felt unfamiliar became something they could welcome into their lives.
Thank you, Menari Body Works, for making room for us. Thank you for your generosity, your gentle welcome, and the care woven into this experience. You reminded a group of people who spend their days tending to others that they deserve tenderness, too.
We are deeply grateful for the chance to rest together, and for the kindness that made it possible. ❤️
