Always be productive.  Don’t show vulnerability because vulnerability is weakness.  Rest means you’re lazy.  Multitask to get everything done.  Look perfect while doing it all.  Be perfect. Taking time for yourself is selfish.

These beliefs are profoundly dangerous.

It’s time to reclaim the validity and necessity of self care and to embrace it.

Here are a few examples of things my clients have identified as self care:

• Taking a nap
• Doing absolutely nothing
• Talking to your pet
• Taking yourself to the movies
• Listening to music
• Playing a board game with your family/friends
• Rubbing lotion on your hands or feet
• Reading a book – for fun
• Saying no to something you don’t want to do
• Taking a vacation/staycation
• Journaling
• Knitting or painting

Often the hardest part is giving yourself permission to do self care.  You may feel uncomfortable and even guilty while doing it, but that doesn’t mean you should stop.  The discomfort is a sign of now much you really do need it – and a lot of it.  

Make a habit of doing some type of self care every day.