Self-care is a buzzword surrounded by plenty of misunderstanding. Some people even go so far as saying it’s selfish to take of yourself. In this post, I provide 5 reasons from a therapist’s perspective why self-care matters deeply to you and your community.

1. Self-care benefits more than you.

   The notion that self-care is selfish wrongfully assumes that when one of us thrives, the rest of us remain unchanged. This belief stands far from the truth of how self-care actually happens. We are relational beings living in a relational world. A person who knows how to care for their own needs is like a dock others can anchor to when the storms of life rise.

   Self-care may start with you, but it benefits your entire web of relationships including your family, friends, and neighbors.

2. Self-care prioritizes your wellbeing in a stressful world.

   You don’t have to look far to notice that stress is on the rise in America and around the world. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic radically changed our lives, we were facing stress at levels never before seen in modern society.

   The time is now to pay attention to what promotes your well-being. Whether it’s going for a walk without your device in hand, laying down in the middle of the day for a nap, or sharing a delicious meal with loved ones, de-stressing by choosing activities that take care of YOU are essential to your well-being.

3. Self-care clarifies your relationships.

   I won’t sugar coat this: not everyone will be supportive of your choice to take care of yourself. Some people in your life may be used to seeing you place your well-being in last place on the list of what matters. They may be used to receiving your care at the expense of yourself.

   When you begin to take action in favor of your wellbeing, you’ll notice how relationships shift around you. Those who make no secret about wanting you to flourish will celebrate your choice to care for yourself. Those aren’t as interested in your wellbeing may resist you by testing your boundaries, diminishing your resolve, or distancing themselves from you. Relational clarity creates the freedom to be with people who want to see us well and cared for without asking them to meet all of your needs.

4. Self-care gives you a counternarrative to hustle culture.

   Is it just me, or does our society idolize the hustle? Somehow we’ve bought into a ridiculous idea that more is more and less is second best. In order to step away from the harmful impact of hustle culture, you will need a strong counter narrative that invites you into an alternative way of living.

   Self-care is a starting point for creating this narrative. It invites you to slow down and say “no thanks” to opportunities that demand more from you than they give back to you. You may be surprised by how your life changes when self-care is no longer an afterthought.

5. Self-care provides you with affordable support.

   Self-care is not a product or service. It is a mindset of support towards your whole life. There’s no cost involved in sitting on a park bench and listening to bird songs or wind in the trees. A local library can provide you with new music or a book that gives you a few moments of enjoyment at no cost. What you already have may also offer some untapped forms of self-care, like applying lotion to your feet at the end of a long day.

   As a therapist, I view therapy is a form of self-care. I often talk with people about the cost of therapy. It can be incredibly expensive! While the cost may be prohibitive, I invite you to consider what even two sessions a month could offer you. Sites like Open Path Collective and Therapy Den offer support at a much lower cost than market rates.

There you have it: 5 reasons why self-care matters so much for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your community. If you’re actively pursuing self-care in your life, I invite you to write down whichever reasons resonate with you on a sticky note and place that note somewhere you’ll see it often-like a bathroom mirror or a car console. When you’re doubting a decision to prioritize a supportive relationship with yourself, may this note be a reminder of why your choice to care for yourself matters. There’s only one of you, and we need you for the long haul!

If you’re ready to start your healing journey, I’d be honored to support you. You can contact me today to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.