I feel like so many people consider self-care something they should feel guilty about. But, in reality, a lot of things I think most people think of as “self-care” are things we should never feel guilty for doing. I really want to dive into the self-care things that should not be considered self-care, at least in my opinion.
9 “Self-Care” Things that SHOULD NOT Be Considered Self-Care
Exercise:Exercise is so very important. For me, it’s a huge mental escape that I need daily. Even if it’s simple like a walk or a 10-15 minute yoga or barre workout. Just something!
Sleep: Why do we ever apologize for needing sleep. Sleep is important to your overall health. So many things go wrong when we don’t have enough sleep. I will never agree that sleep is self-care.
Meditation: Some may argue that this should be considered self-care but I feel as though meditation is good for your mental health. Your mental health is super important and meditation helps so much with anxiety and it helps me sleep better.
Skin Care: OK maybe a little more self-care BUT hear me out. Your skin needs to be healthy and taking care of your skin is important. Washing your face, applying sunscreen so you don’t get skin cancer, etc. So really, it’s not self-care. It’s health.
Eating well: Again, taking care of your body and eating right is NOT self-care it’s important to keep you going. Eating good, clean, whole foods is vital.
Spending time with loved ones: Emotional health is a huge part of overall health. It’s really important to keep these relationships going even during these times. Actually, especially during these times! Thank goodness for technology!
Taking time for yourself: Your mental health as I’ve said is important. You are a better wife, mom, partner, co-worker, friend, etc when you take time for yourself. Even if it’s 30 minutes. For me, I take a walk either by myself or with a friend (socially distanced) each morning before my kids are up for the day. This helps me get in some me time and also exercise.
Focusing on mental health: If you are feeling down and depressed you need to do something about it. I have been on antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds for several years and it helps so much. I also talk to a counselor when I need to (not all the time just sometimes).
Reading: Exercising your brain even if it’s reading random articles online and not books it’s important. Plus, I love the escape personally.
How do you feel about the term “self-care?” Do you feel like people call certain things self-care that should not be considered self-care? Let me know below!
I agree, I don’t really like the term self-care. Yes, you are taking care of yourself, but it makes it sounds selfish. As you said, it isn’t. My husband and I get up before the boys and workout before they are even awake. I read every night before bed. They go to bed early so I can go to bed at a decent time. It’s just part of what we have to do!
Interesting take on this. I would say there should be no guilt or feelings of selfishness for self-care and these are all great examples of self care. Any self-care should be something that helps your mental, emotional or physical health and is specific to you, rather than motivated by an outside source
I’m trying to spend more time on self care at the moment – it’s something I often neglect… but I’ve had more free time during lockdown to think about it!
Thank you for including sleep in here! I do sometimes feel guilty sleeping in on the weekends but I feel like sometimes I really need that. Especially after an exhausting week.
One thing I promised myself after celebrating my birthday last week is to take more time for selfcare. I felt like, I have been giving so much and kept neglecting myself. Thanks for sharing this.
I agree that emotional health has a huge impact on your wellbeing, and would definitely say that spending time with loved ones is a given like you said. Plus never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep. It does wonders.
I think #7 and #8 are what I may call self care. The others I do on a routine. Although I have not read that much books, I think that would be nice to do sometime. I will have to try to squeeze that in during the day.
I couldn’t agree more! These things should be a part of our daily routine (they are already, at least for me) and should not be considered self-care at all. Great post.
YES! I love this perspective. I love that self care is something that women are doing, but I don’t want it to see like taking care of ourselves in a reasonable way is luxurious.
Frankly, anything we do to take care of body, mind, and soul is self-care. I get the semantics and the point of view that these things should be a given but, they aren’t for so many people. Self care covers a lot of territory and that is why I like the term.
Interesting perspective. I would say that self-care shouldn’t include things like painting your nails or dying your hair. But the things on this list are actual self-care. To me, self-care is making sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health, which these things do. I guess we all have different opinions on what self-care is and that’s the problem, haha.
Hmm this is interesting because I think this all depends on how you define the term “self care.” I never defined it as something one needs to apologize for or have to justify so in that vein, I considered all of these self care.
So true! Some of these things should already be part of our daily routine! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
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I love this perspective. You are spot on. These things are definitely essentials and not optional. Thank th for sharing.
Really useful tips and I love your website!
I agree, I don’t really like the term self-care. Yes, you are taking care of yourself, but it makes it sounds selfish. As you said, it isn’t. My husband and I get up before the boys and workout before they are even awake. I read every night before bed. They go to bed early so I can go to bed at a decent time. It’s just part of what we have to do!
Interesting take on this. I would say there should be no guilt or feelings of selfishness for self-care and these are all great examples of self care. Any self-care should be something that helps your mental, emotional or physical health and is specific to you, rather than motivated by an outside source
I’m trying to spend more time on self care at the moment – it’s something I often neglect… but I’ve had more free time during lockdown to think about it!
Thank you for including sleep in here! I do sometimes feel guilty sleeping in on the weekends but I feel like sometimes I really need that. Especially after an exhausting week.
Insightful post. I think everything on the list should be called “necessity”.
I was gonna say 1 and 2 are my top favorites until I read 4,5,6,7, and 8. The should be called the sacred manual of good living
One thing I promised myself after celebrating my birthday last week is to take more time for selfcare. I felt like, I have been giving so much and kept neglecting myself. Thanks for sharing this.
I agree that emotional health has a huge impact on your wellbeing, and would definitely say that spending time with loved ones is a given like you said. Plus never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep. It does wonders.
I think #7 and #8 are what I may call self care. The others I do on a routine. Although I have not read that much books, I think that would be nice to do sometime. I will have to try to squeeze that in during the day.
I completely agree with all the points in this post!
I can’t believe people are apologising for needing to sleep.
thanks for sharing!
I couldn’t agree more! These things should be a part of our daily routine (they are already, at least for me) and should not be considered self-care at all. Great post.
YES! I love this perspective. I love that self care is something that women are doing, but I don’t want it to see like taking care of ourselves in a reasonable way is luxurious.
Frankly, anything we do to take care of body, mind, and soul is self-care. I get the semantics and the point of view that these things should be a given but, they aren’t for so many people. Self care covers a lot of territory and that is why I like the term.
Yesssss. Finally. This is the article I have been waiting for someone to write. Thank you!
Interesting perspective. I would say that self-care shouldn’t include things like painting your nails or dying your hair. But the things on this list are actual self-care. To me, self-care is making sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health, which these things do. I guess we all have different opinions on what self-care is and that’s the problem, haha.
Hmm this is interesting because I think this all depends on how you define the term “self care.” I never defined it as something one needs to apologize for or have to justify so in that vein, I considered all of these self care.
I think I have to re-thinking again about all the self-care that you say.And I think I agree with you.