Understanding what true selfcare is
SELF CARE, OR SELF SABOTAGE?
Had a bad day? Netflix, wine and takeaway on the couch is just what the doctor ordered. Go on, it’s just practising good self-care! Or is it? When does treating yourself just turn into self-sabotage in disguise? And how do we tell the difference?
SELF CARE activities:
Help us move towards the life we want to lead keep our bodies and minds healthy and happy are consciously chosen with long term affects in mind can include simple things like taking a short break from work to walk around the block, pausing to take a few deep breaths, cooking a healthy meal for yourself, carving out time for your training and asking others for help with tasks at work or home
SABOTAGE behaviours:
Reinforce damaging behaviours prevent us from moving forward possibly send us into a spiral are often impulsive, chosen for instant gratification/to numb feelings can include things like binge eating, socially isolating yourself, procrastinating important tasks
As with everything in life, moderation is key. Sometimes you’re going to need to skip a workout, order takeaway, eat a heap of ice cream or chocolate and down a bottle of wine in the name of self soothing. But understanding that this can’t be your only coping mechanism is key to embracing healthier forms of self-care.
Its less about WHAT you’re doing and more about WHY you’re doing it - for example, you may reach for a block of chocolate when you’re feeling stressed. But will that actually change anything? Does that actually make you feel better in any way? All of us experience feelings like this - the aim is not to eradicate the feelings, just to balance our approach to self-care with those that nourish our soul, body and mind.
