Mental Health Awareness Month: Myth Busting Self-Care
May 15, 2024Mental Health Awareness Month: Myth Busting Self-Care
Taking care of ourselves, in body, mind and spirit, is our first line of defense against the fire hose of sensory input we are met with each day. The activities, behaviors, and habits we engage with have the power to help or hinder our ability to manage challenges, foster relationships, make sound decisions, and live our lives to their fullest. The collection of strategies we employ belongs under the umbrella of self-care. This phrase has become somewhat of a buzz word and is shrouded by images of spa retreats, costly products, and Instragram-able photo ops. This week, the aim is to demystify self-care and rebrand this “word of the week.”
Myth: Self-care is indulgent.
Fact: The act of taking care of ourselves is our number one job. You may have heard the quote, “you can’t fill from an empty cup.” This fits perfectly here. The more that we tend to our needs, the higher our capacity becomes to take care of others. In this respect, self-care is community care. As Maya Angelou reminds us, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
Myth: Self-care is something you do alone.
Fact: It is true that many self-care activities are done independently. It is also true that humans are a social species who thrive in community. Practicing good self-care means balancing those activities that one does alone with ones that happen with others.
Myth: Self-care is time-consuming.
Fact: Even in the smallest increments, actions we take to tend to our self-care needs add up. This might mean taking 60 seconds to do a breathing exercise, giving yourself a 5-minute screen break during the work or school day, or taking a 10-minute stroll around the block.
Now that we have busted a few common myths about self-care, let’s get to practicing!
To Watch
Check out this video that continues to demystify self-care and helps viewers to create A Self-Care Action Plan.
To Read
So, what does self-care look like in practice? This article reviews the eight dimensions of self-care and explores more benefits.
To Do (Weekly Challenge)
Reflect on your own experiences with self-care with this exercise or try an activity from this article, 50 self-care ideas for when you need a mood boost.
Thank you for taking care of you! Everyone deserves good self-care, and may this week inspire you to lean in.
Looking to engage further or have questions? Please contact Katie Soule, Director of Social and Emotional Wellbeing, at ksoule@graniteymca.org.
