Common Self-Care Myths Debunked

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Self-care is something that we all need. Whether you have a stressful job or a busy home life, taking time for yourself is important if you want to stay happy and healthy. Too often people believe that self-care is not for them. They believe that self-care requires you to follow a set of rules or only partake in a small set of activities. Here are some self-care myths and why they are simply not true. 

Myth: Self-Care has to be expensive and luxurious

When most people think about self-care, they may imagine an expensive massage or full weekend getaway. They may picture extravagant equipment meant to make you feel your best. The truth is, you do not actually need any of these things to practice self-care. Taking care of yourself can be done inexpensively. You can practice self-care with the things you already have at home. A simple meditation routine or a stretch circuit is a great option for an inexpensive way to feel relaxed. Just a few minutes a day is all you need to really make a difference in how you feel. Self-care should be simple and accessible to everyone, no matter where you are.

Myth: Practicing Self-Care is Selfish

Often when we think of self-care, we think that it is not something that can be done when you have a family to take care of. Time spent on yourself is often traded in for time with others and we push our individual needs to the side. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is a necessity for a happy and healthy life. When you spend time taking care of yourself, your interactions with others will improve. Taking a few moments for yourself each day can improve your overall mood and productivity. This means that self-care is a great way to refresh yourself so you can better take care of your loved ones. 

Myth: Self-Care is just an excuse to pamper yourself, it doesn’t have any real benefits

Sometimes self-care can make us feel guilty. Spending time, money, and effort on things that we enjoy doing can feel more like an indulgence than a necessity. Self-care activities are full of real-world benefits that can have a long term effect on your overall health and wellness. 

Most self-care activities can reduce your stress. High-stress levels have been attributed to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. High-stress levels can also be responsible for anxiety and depression. Taking some time each week to take care of yourself and lower your stress levels can hold a plethora of benefits. Lower stress levels can help you think faster and remember things better. Lower stress levels can result in lower blood pressure. Routine self-care can improve your immune system. Most importantly, it can make you calm and relaxed. It can improve your mood and can immediately make any day better.

So, now that we’ve debunked these myths, you have no excuse not to practice self-care! Find the activities that make you feel better and be intentional about doing those things more often.