World Mental Health Day: SI Swimsuit Models Share Their Favorite Self-Care Practices

Every year, World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder to slow down, check in and care for ourselves beyond the surface. Over the years, SI Swimsuit models have opened up about their own journeys with self-care, balance and emotional well-being. From grounding routines to powerful affirmations, their reflections continue to resonate long after the photo shoots wrap.

In honor of World Mental Health Day today, Saturday, Oct. 10, we’re revisiting the practices several of our brand stars—including Penny Lane, Meredith Mickelson, Vita Sidorkina, Carolyn Crawford, Ellie Thumann, Kamie Crawford and Alix Earle—have shared with us that help them stay present, confident and connected.

Practice mindfulness and breathwork

Lane, a certified holistic health coach, believes that calm often starts with the breath.

“Deep, intentional breathwork engages the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a shift from the stress-induced fight-or-flight response to a more relaxed state,” the three-time SI Swimsuit model, who was discovered through the Swim Search open casting call, explained.

She leans on techniques like box breathing and the 4-7-8 method, visualizing herself as “a happy baby breathing blissfully” to spark ease. Her go-tos, she said, include daily practice and apps like Calm and Headspace—small habits that helped regulate the mind, body and spirit all at once.

Lane also does her best to practice mindfulness while on set in order to stay present at any given moment.

“I try to stay grounded and present enough to actually absorb it,” she told us about her experience on set in Botswana for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue. “I tell myself the day will be long and hard work, but that’s not what I’ll remember. What I’ll remember is the laughs, the joy, the adventure, the scenery, the feeling of being so in the moment. This was truly once-in-a-lifetime, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t let a single part of it pass me by.”

Set boundaries

Mental health has always been an important priority for Mickelson, a 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue rookie. The model-actor admits that she has struggled with both anxiety and depression over the years, but therapy and the support of her friends and family have been instrumental in her personal growth and emotional well-being.

Meredith Mickelson | Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

“That growth has taught me how to set boundaries and to understand who I am, what holds value for me and what truly matters—which has made the meaningful moments feel even more meaningful,” Mickelson told SI Swimsuit. “I learned how to protect myself and also love myself. After my brother [actor Daniel Mickelson] passed away, it put everything into perspective for me. Today, I’m genuinely proud of who I am as a person, how I treat people and what matters to me. That means more to me than anything else in life.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Model-turned-entrepreneur Sidorkina knows that juggling a busy schedule is stressful enough. When you add parenthood to the mix, balance gets even tougher. The mom of two, who founded The Core fitness app earlier this year, says she is still learning to prioritize self-care as she balances family life and business ownership.

Vita Sidorkina | Courtesy of Vita Sidorkina

“What keeps me sane is having a couple of nonnegotiables,” the three-time SI Swimsuit model recently shared. “Saturdays are for sleeping in—I turn off my alarm and make sure my husband and nanny are in charge of the kids so I can sleep until my body naturally wakes up. I’ve also started practicing no-phone Sundays because my screen time can get far too high. Those two boundaries allow me to reset over the weekend and begin the new week feeling refreshed.”

Maintain a meditation practice

Murphy recently joined Infinity Wellness as partner and chief brand officer, so it makes sense that the supermodel’s everyday routine includes plenty of practices that focus on her mental well-being. Meditation is just one of them.

Carolyn Murphy | Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

“Meditation has been part of my life for years, and even if I only have a few minutes in the morning to sit quietly and be still, I notice a difference in my day,” the 2005 SI Swimsuit Issue cover model recently told SI Swimsuit. “I also try to get outside, move my body and make time to disconnect from technology. Hobbies and staying connected to family and friends is essential. I’ve learned that it’s the simple things that really help me reset and stay grounded.”

Create routine to find calm

Thumann, who has long been open about her mental health journey, finds peace in structure. While navigating the chaos of travel and family time, especially going into the holiday season, she keeps simple rituals close—including morning walks, journaling and cooking for herself.

“Bringing as much of your routine as possible is a big one,” she shared. When she needs to quiet her thoughts, she mutes notifications, takes a step back from social media and refocuses on what feels grounding in real life.

“Everything can look super perfect [online] and I think it’s important to be in the moment and focused on the family around you and the conversations being had there,” she added. “[It’s easier to do that] when you’re not so tuned in on what looks good and how you can snap the perfect picture.”

Go to therapy

Crawford has learned to treat happiness as nonnegotiable. “I have to prioritize joy and peace above anything that isn’t serving me,” the newly married model and TV host said.

Kamie Crawford | Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

She also champions therapy as a path to understanding oneself: “We are who we are because of what we’ve been through, and unpacking that can give us an even deeper understanding of who we are, what we want and how to communicate our needs effectively.”

Find your balance

Earle once admitted that balance is something she’s constantly working on, as the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue cover model is always on the go.

“You need to be able to have time with your friends and your loved ones and take time for the mental—but then, you know, you can also go to things and work,” she told SI Swimsuit while on set for the 2025 magazine. Her honesty about saying “yes” to opportunity while learning when to rest reminded fans that success and self-care aren’t opposites—they can coexist.

Alix Earle | TheStewartofNY/Getty Images

She’s constantly traveling and working on her brand, though Earle prioritizes spending quality time with her family and friends—all while staying super consistent on social media. The key to it all is knowing your boundaries and, honestly, getting just a little less rest.

“I don’t sleep that much. I’m like, ‘We’re just gonna do it all; you’re only young once, you only live once,’” she admitted. “A lot of this stuff just feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, so it’s hard to pass on.”