When Self-Care Feels Selfish – It’s Not!

By now you know that Self-Care is an important aspect of your health and wellbeing. You know that isn’t all about green juices, spa days and yoga headstands. Self-Care is not about indulgence. It’s about self-respect. So why do we sometimes feel guilty when we do it?

If the word selfish comes to mind when you think about prioritizing your own self-care, then you’ve got to reframe your way of thinking. Putting yourself first may be selfish in the strictest definition of the word, but when it comes down to it, there are going to be times when self-care needs to come first.

Permission to take care of yourself

Here is your permission, right now, to ask for help if you need it, if you’re overwhelmed or stressed; here is your permission to rest if you need it, whether that literally means more sleep, or if it means taking some downtime just for you; here is your permission to be alone if you need it, you can skip your friend’s party – they will understand. Here is your permission to end a relationship that is unhealthy, abusive or emotionally draining, be it with a partner, a friend, or a family member. Here is your permission to take care of yourself.

Self-Care doesn’t make you needy, week or incompetent, it doesn’t make you a failure and it doesn’t make you lazy. Self-care isn’t a frivolous act, it’s a powerful statement to yourself that your needs are important too.

Whether you’re a parent, a spouse, a teacher, a caregiver, a healthcare worker, or anyone else who has people who depend on you – your needs matter too. And you certainly can’t be expected to care for the people in your life who depend on you if you are mentally and emotionally drained. You can more effectively provide when your needs are taken care of. Don’t neglect yourself and your health to avoid feeling selfish.

Self-Care isn’t part of your never-ending to-do list!

Finally, Self-Care isn’t just another thing to add to your never-ending to-do list, either. It’s about slowing down, taking a step back, and sharing the love, attention and affection that you give to others, with yourself.

Our new program, Self-Care Providers Lunch & Learn Program: The Power of Self-Care will help you work through those feelings of guilt or selfishness when it comes to prioritizing your Self-Care practices. This program is a refreshing and instructive Lunch & Learn that incorporates a series of activities and practices to focus on the care of your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. The program includes: Centering activities (meditation and breathwork), The Case for Self Care, and Your Self Care Toolkit: Self Care for the Mind, Body, and Spirit – which includes powerful takeaways that you can apply to your daily life. For more information on this life-changing program, Click HERE to learn more.

Here is your daily reminder, in case you need to hear it: It is OK to take time to take care of yourself and your own well-being. Stay tuned for the next installment of this 5-Part Series: The Best Health-Care is Self-Care Part 4: Making Time for Self Care

One Breath, One Stretch, One Affirmation…at a time!