Hating self-care is very trendy nowadays as it is often viewed as retail therapy, vacations, or spa days. The glamourous and indulgent experience, however, is inaccessible to most people. Importantly, these images surrounding self-care often skew the notion of what self-care is and how to practice it properly. For more information on what self-care is—its purpose and definition—feel free to check out our other blog by clicking here. But, for now, we will be taking a closer look at these myths surrounding self-care.
#1: Self-Care is about making you feel “good”
Self-care is about practicing healthy habits. For example, healthy habits could mean cleaning your toilet or having to communicate boundaries to a co-worker. For most, these things may feel like anything but good. It is important to remember; however, these practices allow us to live a healthier life. Living a healthier life, in turn, enables us to find more joy and time to spend it how we please.
#2: Self-Care is expensive, indulgent, selfish
We’ve all seen the post on Instagram: the person is lounging on a foreign beach, and they write, “some well-deserved self-care.” While people find their ways to practice self-care, posts like these often create extravagant images of self-care. In turn, these luxurious images prevent some people from beginning to practice self-care. It is important to remember that self-care is not always extravagant: you could go on a walk, wash your hair, or read a book. With practices like these, no one should ever feel guilty for taking a moment for themselves in a routine—or worry about the price!
#3: Practicing Self-Care means my mental health is good
People often think practicing self-care is a sign of good mental health. While practicing self-care is a good step, it does not automatically mean that someone has good mental health. Mental health journeys are deeply personal and cannot be entirely reflected in our day-to-day actions. Moreover, according to Houston Public Media, much of the work of self-care builds resiliency. Resiliency can be understood as a person’s ability to overcome and deal with difficulties. Practicing self-care, then, represents one’s ability to deal with stress but not that one never deals with mental health issues.
The myths surrounding self-care are abundant. To navigate the many myths and images, people must remember that self-care practices should fit their lifestyle. By tailoring your lifestyle, we can ensure these practices become a part of your daily routine; moreover, constant practice leads to developing a robust, healthier lifestyle.
References:
https://cmha.ca/beneath-the-surface-self-care-myths-and-facts/
