Self-Care is not Selfish: A Guide to Prioritizing Your Mental Health

Written by Alecia Carter 

Self-care is not a selfish act. In fact, it's an essential part of maintaining good mental health and well-being. So why do we often view self-care as selfish or self-indulgent? The truth is, taking care of yourself is necessary to take care of others and to be the best version of yourself. According to Southern New Hampshire University, engaging in self-care has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more. Self-care can lower the risk of illness and can be like a reset button for your body and mind when needed. 

In this blog post, we'll explore what self-care is, why it's important, common obstacles to practicing self-care, and provide tips to overcome those barriers. 

What is Self-Care? 

Oxford Dictionary has defined self-care as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, particularly during periods of stress. It's an individualized and ongoing process that involves taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. 

However, self-care looks different for everyone, as there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for it. You must take the time to become attuned to your body and mind's needs. It’s important to remember that practicing self-care is not just taking time to relax, but also keeping up with doctors’ appointments, taking any supplemental vitamins your body may need, and maintaining your healthcare needs. 

Why is Self-Care Important? 

Practicing self-care has numerous benefits, including reducing stress and improving overall well-being. In a national survey, Americans cited the benefits of self-care as enhanced self-confidence (64%), increased productivity (67%), and happiness (71%). From a physical health perspective, self-care also reduces heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Practicing self-care can also help reduce anxiety and depression, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, and increase energy. 

Obstacles to Self-Care 

Common barriers individuals face when attempting to practice self-care may include lack of time, guilt, and unrealistic expectations. Here are some ways to overcome these obstacles: Change your mindset around what self-care is and understand that it's not taking care of yourself for selfish reasons but taking care of yourself to care for others. Start small and gain momentum along the way. 

1. Lack of time: Use tools like your calendar and schedule time for yourself as you would for any other appointment. For example, I use my calendar to schedule my gym time or what time I’m taking lunch every day. Creating a routine may also help you find small times within your day to do things like meditate or practice mindfulness. Struggling to find time during your busy work schedule? PTO does not only need to be used for going to the doctors or vacations, use it to schedule a day off to take a mental break from the busy hustle and bustle. 

2. Feeling guilty about taking time for yourself? Well, this goes back to viewing self-care as being selfish. It’s time to change our mindset around what self-care is. Self-care is not taking care of ourselves for selfish reasons, but taking care of ourselves to care for others. When you care for others, you should be giving that person the best version of yourself, and you can’t do this if you are experiencing burnout and chronic stress. 

3. Have you tried to practice self-care, but had a difficult time putting your plan into action? Practicing self-care and finding time for yourself can seem like a large task. Start small, instead of trying to take an hour or a full day, maybe find 30 mins to do something for yourself. It's better to start small and gain momentum along the way. 

Self-Care Practices to Try 

There are many self-care activities you can try, such as meditation, exercise, spending time outdoors, and more. These practices can benefit mental health by leading to enhanced self-esteem, optimism, and a positive outlook on life. They can also help manage stress, lower the risk of illness, increase energy, and lead to feelings of happiness and contentment. These activities can also increase self-awareness and can also help you recognize patterns in your emotions and situations that can trigger worsened symptoms. 

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or guilty about prioritizing your self-care, remember that it is not selfish but necessary to take care of yourself and others. By understanding the definition of self-care, its importance, and how to overcome obstacles, you can improve your mental health and well-being. Start small today and begin incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine to have a positive impact on your life.