{"id":37149,"date":"2023-08-06T22:40:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-06T22:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=37149"},"modified":"2023-08-07T23:26:58","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T23:26:58","slug":"selfcare-selfharm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/selfcare-selfharm\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Embrace Simple Self-Care and Navigate Wellness Overwhelm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn how to put the self back in self-care and overcome wellness overwhelm. Spoiler alert: Simplicity is the name of the game.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Taking time to nurture and nourish yourself is a foundational aspect of self-care. But when all of the extra frills, misconceptions, and abundance of noise take over, self-care can become overwhelming… and may even do more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n

To prevent that from happening, you\u2019ll want to take a smart, safe, and simplified approach to self-care that weeds out the excess (and nonsense) and puts the focus back on your individuality. Keep reading to discover how to do exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Self-Care Is (and Isn\u2019t)<\/h2>\n\n\n

Simply put, self-care entails making time and space for yourself to promote well-being. Above all, it should include what serves you<\/em> on a personal basis. Self-care can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths when you\u2019re overwhelmed or saying no to plans when you need some time alone<\/a>. It can also include any aspect of a wellness routine as some of us may automatically envision it\u2014like practicing yoga a few times a week, reading before bed<\/a>, or preparing nourishing meals\u2014plus \u201cfancier\u201d things like skincare routines, spa days, and taking time off to travel. However, self-care and luxury aren\u2019t synonymous.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cWe can no longer view self-care as a luxury reserved for those with ample time and resources. Rather, it [should] become a necessity,” shares Elizabeth Winkler, LMFT<\/a>, a psychotherapist and certified meditation<\/a> teacher in Beverly Hills. Self-care doesn\u2019t have to be costly, laborious, or time-consuming. “My morning meditation practice<\/a> costs nothing and allows me to decide how much time I want to dedicate to it,\u201d she offers as an example. <\/p>\n\n\n

Shauna Faulisi<\/a>\u2014a holistic nutritionist, celebrity wellness chef, and creator of the Soul Wellness Method<\/a>\u2014agrees, adding that one of the biggest misconceptions about self-care is that it\u2019s self-indulgent. In fact, her own vision of self-care includes but goes beyond rest<\/a> and relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cI feel my best when things are in order and when I don\u2019t have tasks looming over my head,\u201d she explains. \u201cI believe self-care is doing the hard things and the things we don\u2019t always want to do: having those hard conversations, being honest with ourselves, sitting down to figure out our finances<\/a>, [and] drawing boundaries to protect our peace.\u201d She says these poignant actions promote freedom and stronger sense of self, which can \u201cultimately lead us to make healthy decisions that support our well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure>\n\n\n

When Self-Care Becomes Self-Harm<\/h2>\n\n\n

Self-care practices can be wonderful, so long as they align with your mind, body, values, and needs. However, potential perils arise if you become too rigid, rely on external pressure and validation, and fail to approach wellness culture with a discerning eye.<\/p>\n\n\n

Being Too Rigid<\/h3>\n\n\n

Self-care can take a turn for the worse if you strive for perfection and go beyond a healthy level of discipline. \u201cSometimes we become overly attached to specific self-care practices that initially transformed our lives,\u201d Winkler explains. \u201cHowever, if we become too rigid or dogmatic in our approach to self-care, it can hinder us rather than provide a foundation for freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

In these cases, self-care can morph into something closer to self-harm. Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n