5 common myths about self-care

As we roll into the anticipation of the second phase of lockdown lifting, I want to take this opportunity for all those who need it right now, to debunk some myths about self-care. We have just spent the best part of a year in and out of lockdown where prioritising your mental health and self-care practices has been a hot topic... but for all those who are anxious about getting back into society again, or even those who are eager for it - its helpful to remember the importance of looking after your mind, body and soul.

Let me spill the tea on these 5 common myths about self-care:

"it's selfish"

"it's expensive"

"it's time-consuming"

"it should be earned"

"it's something only women do"

"it's selfish"

Making time for self-care allows you space to restore your energy and re-centre yourself. This will enable you to better show up fully as the person you want to be, rather than always feeling like you are spreading yourself too thin and therefore, having consistently less capacity for yourself and others.

"it's expensive"

It's not about spending beyond your means on the designer face cream, retreat, or hipster dance studio membership. In order to practice self-care, simple actions like meditation, noticing small things that make you smile throughout your day, getting to bed early, and prioritising being present in each moment can all be accessible and low cost acts of self-care.

"it's time-consuming"

In modern society, we often feel pushed for time. It can be disguised as a 'badge of honour' to always be busy, and actually, this mentality is widely encouraged. It's not your fault you feel like this. The first thing we can do as an act of self-care is acknowledge this, accept it, and make proactive attempts to change it. Self-care doesn't need to be time consuming or overwhelming. It doesn't need to take up the majority of your week for it to be effective. Try a gentler approach and take little moments on a regular basis and feel the benefits

"it should be earned"

Self-care is fundamental to the maintenance of good mental health. This does not require you to 'pay' for your self-care by working a full and productive day, or get yourself to the brink of burnout, or making sure everyone else's needs are met before your own.

"it's something only women do"

Healthy routines and nurturing activities are gender neutral.

If you are experiencing anything discussed in the blog, you might want to consider one of my online and on demand programmes encouraging a self-taught introduction into building confidence and self-esteem, rewiring limiting belief systems, setting goals and setting intentional action or reducing stress and anxiety. For more information please visit https://www.jessicasadams.com/ondemand