Ava Coleman may be the principal of Abbott Elementary, but she has never let a school day get in the way of her self-care. While the rest of us are trying to squeeze a break into our lunch hour, Ava has turned her workplace into a spa, a reading retreat and, occasionally, a place to catch up on Survivor.
Her methods are outrageous. Her commitment to rest? Admirable. Here are some of Ava’s most memorable work self-care moments, plus a few ways to borrow the spirit of her routine for your own day.
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1. The inflatable chair: because rest is rest
In Season 3, Episode 13, Ava takes an inflatable chair on a school trip to the park. She settles in, puts on her earbuds and listens to a podcast. Other people see a school outing; Ava sees an opportunity to recharge.
You might not be able to bring an inflatable lounger to work, but a comfortable seat, a proper break and a podcast can make a difference.
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2. Becoming by Michelle Obama — but make someone else read it
Ava knows that reading can be a form of self-care. She also knows how to make it fit her own schedule. In Season 1, Episode 4, she has Becoming read aloud to her while she relaxes.
For a less Ava-like approach, try the book or audiobook during your commute, lunch break or evening wind-down.
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3. The office foot spa
Some people keep a spare pair of shoes under their desk. Ava takes things further with a foot spa in her office. It’s a bold interpretation of workplace wellbeing, even by her standards.
An after-work foot soak is easier to pull off and gives you something to look forward to after a day on your feet.
Shop the moment:
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4. The massage gun
Ava’s office self-care equipment also includes a massage gun. She is prepared for tension, and she expects relief on demand.
You can take the useful part of this idea without turning your desk into a treatment room: pause, stretch and give yourself time to unwind after work.
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5. The LED face mask
Ava has even made room for an LED face mask in her workday. It is perhaps the clearest sign that she has stopped distinguishing between office hours and spa hours.
A skincare routine at home may be more practical, but Ava would certainly approve of making time for it.
Shop the moment:
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6. The secret golden bathroom
No Ava self-care roundup would be complete without her secret talking toilet and decked out gold bathroom. Most of us ask for a little privacy and a clean bathroom; Ava built herself an experience.
You do not need a gold throne to appreciate the underlying lesson: sometimes you need a few uninterrupted minutes to yourself.
Take the idea home:
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7. A computer used for everything except work
Ava’s computer has served as her gateway to Survivor, Janine deepfakes and O’Shon’s Instagram. Her approach to screen breaks is, predictably, much less restrained than anyone else’s.
A short, intentional break can still be useful. Watch something funny, message a friend or step away from your screen altogether—then come back to what needs doing.
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Most of us cannot take Ava’s approach to screen time at work. But that is what makes her routine so funny: from the inflatable chair to the secret gold toilet, Ava treats every part of her day as a chance to look after herself. Abbott may never be ready for it, but Ava is completely at ease.
