Every day calm isn’t a destination, it’s a practice. And for Sarasota wellness expert and Squeeze Massage owner Sloane Bellante, it’s also a profoundly personal philosophy shaped by the realities of running a business, raising two boys, and navigating life’s nonstop pace.
For Sloane, calm is an intentional choice woven into the small moments of a day. “My days aren't calm by default. So it's something I'm intentional about… turning to the daily practices that really remind me of being in that calm state and take me back to center.” Those practices are simple but powerful: deep breathing, slowing down between tasks, and checking in with her body instead of pushing past discomfort.
Stress, she notes, often shows up physically before it shows up mentally. “I catch myself holding my breath or shallow breathing a lot, clenching my jaw, and my shoulders become tighter…” shared Sloane. When she notices those cues, she resets by dropping her shoulders, unclenching her jaw, and returning to intentional breathwork. Affirmations help her reframe her thoughts, especially when overwhelm spirals into self-doubt. “As soon as I'm overwhelmed by something… I will reframe my thoughts to something positive,” she explains.
When time is limited, as it is for most of her clients, Sloane leans on quick, accessible resets. “It's mostly breathing… inhale for four seconds, hold, exhale for six. You can do it anywhere.” She also turns to aromatherapy, sunlight, and fresh air for instant grounding.
For anyone who feels intimidated by self-care, Sloane offers reassurance. In her words, “The easiest place to start is with just one small promise to yourself each day… It could be something as simple as a five-minute walk or doing some deep breathing exercises.” Even a playful moment can be therapeutic. “I love a good car seat karaoke session… Nobody can hear me. Nobody’s judging me.”
Sensory cues also shape her path to calm. Lo-fi music played through noise-canceling headphones helps her drop into focus instantly. “I'm shocked at how instantly I get so much done when I just put on my Bose headphones.” Soft lighting, candles, and aromatherapy also support the shift.
Movement remains central to her emotional clarity. “Walking is very therapeutic for me, even if it's 10 minutes a day,” she says. She also stretches nightly, opens her chest with a yoga wheel, and incorporates yoga throughout the week.
If she could give readers one essential piece of advice, it’s this: “Don't wait until you're burnt out to reset or to rest. Pick one thing that helps you feel better and do it daily, and build from there.”
As a Sarasota local, mom, and wellness-driven entrepreneur, Sloane built Squeeze Massage to bring those values to her community. “It was important… that we did something good for our community, and we fell in love with Squeeze.” Her message is clear: calm isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, intention, and choosing yourself in small but meaningful ways each day.