Overcome Barriers to Self-Care

What is Self-Care?

First, we need to redefine self-care. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that self-care requires luxurious activities like spa days or expensive classes. In reality, self-care is about maintaining our health and well-being through simple, everyday practices. This could be as straightforward as taking a walk during lunch, practicing mindfulness for a few minutes each day, or ensuring we get enough sleep. By focusing on these small, manageable actions, we can integrate self-care into our routines without feeling overwhelmed.

Self-Care Is not Selfish

Another common misconception is that prioritizing ourselves means neglecting others. This all-or-nothing thinking is deeply ingrained in many of us. However, the truth is that we cannot effectively care for others if we are not well ourselves. Think of the airplane oxygen mask analogy: we must secure our own mask before helping others. By taking time for self-care, we actually enhance our ability to support our clients, colleagues, and loved ones.

Access Challenges

Affordability is another barrier many of us face. The commercialization of self-care can make it seem like we need to spend a lot of money to feel good. But just as self-care doesn’t have to be luxurious, it need not be expensive either. There are countless free or low-cost ways to care for ourselves, such as doing a short yoga video online (Yoga with Adriene), meditating, or simply enjoying a good book.

Avoid the Hustle Mentality

Finally, it’s essential to recognize when we need self-care. Our profession often encourages a “push-through-it” mentality, but ignoring our feelings can lead to burnout. Developing self-awareness and listening to our bodies and minds can help us identify when we need to pause and take care of ourselves.

Incorporating these strategies into our lives can make a significant difference. Remember, self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. By overcoming these barriers, we can maintain our health and continue to excel in our demanding field and in our personal lives.

How do you overcome barriers to self-care? I’d love to hear what works for you. Please leave a comment on the blog or send me an email at kelli@klrparalegal.com

References:
“Why You Struggle with Self-Care” by Britt Mahrer, MA, LPCC for NAMI, December 16, 2019
Yoga with Adriene by Adriene Mishler, free on YouTube