Last week we explored what self-care means to us and asked the notorious question we all love to avoid, “When was the last time you did something for yourself that was truly replenishing, soothing, or joyful?”
We live in a fast-paced world where we are taught that if we put ourselves first we might be viewed as selfish, which leads to higher levels of stress and burnout. This week we are going to dive into busting self-care myths so you can go home and put your feet up with a clear mind.
1) MYTH: SELF-CARE COMES AFTER I DO EVERYTHING ELSE.
When everything else comes first, your body will eventually find a way to communicate with you that you need to come first. You might get sick, if you are already sick your symptoms may get exasperated. If you start taking care of yourself, getting sick is no longer a guarantee, it’s just a possibility.
TRUTH: Caring for myself is important. I will put myself first.
2) MYTH: IT’S SELFISH TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
Self-care is the ultimate selfless act. When practicing self-love and acceptance you will have healthier relationships, you will be more present, you will act on your values and not on negative emotions, you will approach challenges carefully and calmly, and you will become flexible and adaptable to change. It’s the healthiest thing you can do for your relationships.
TRUTH: Taking care of myself is not selfish; it’s a sign of maturity and makes it possible for me to have healthy relationships and be more present for the people and things I care about.
3) MYTH: I MUST HELP PEOPLE IN NEED
While it might feel sensible to help others in need, it is important to ask yourself what is the real reward for your service? You could be relinquishing your happiness to other people. When serving others becomes your main occupation, you hand over your power to solve your own problems and to learn new ways of responding to difficult emotions. This can make you feel helpless.
TRUTH: I am not responsible for helping everyone who is in need. I can be of service without sacrificing my health and sanity.
4) MYTH: I’LL GET LAZY IF I DON’T PUSH MYSELF OR HOLD MYSELF TO HIGH STANDARDS
If you frequently set unrealistic goals or use self-critical thoughts to motivate yourself to work harder, you will inevitably be chronically unhappy with yourself even if you are outwardly successful. Eventually, you develop more fear not motivation because you’re unconsciously scared of your own critical inner voice ready to pounce on you when you don’t meet your standards. Self-compassion is a more effective approach to self-motivation.
TRUTH: Being kind to myself and holding myself to reasonable standards makes it possible for me to feel success, manage defeat, and stay motivated.
5) MYTH: I CAN’T AFFORD SELF-CARE.
You don’t have to have a gym membership or have a spa day to do self-care. Do things that support your health and well-being. Walking around your neighborhood, listening to music, taking a nap, saying no, setting boundaries, asking for help, the list goes on.
TRUTH: While some expenses are out of reach right now, there are many things I can do for my health today.
Self-care is not a one-time experience it is an ongoing commitment to yourself.
Bust some of your own personal self-care myths and commit to taking care of YOU.
CONTACT
PROMISE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
