Let’s be real: We all love a good dose of self-care, but how do you know when enough is enough?
I’ll be the first to say that self-care is amazing. It is very important for your overall wellbeing. Whether it be a hot bath, a mini nap, a cozy cup of hot chocolate, or binge watching your favorite show. Self-care is the bomb.com…
… Until you get carried away. Self-care is enticing, but too much can be a trap. This is especially true for those who struggle with their mental health. If you’re not careful, self-care can be a gateway for self-destructing habits.
Now you’re probably thinking, “Megan, you’re crazy. How can taking care of yourself be damaging?”
The answer to this is simple: Everything is good in moderation.
For me, self-care has become more than just a habit. At times, it can be addictive. I practice self-care in many different ways, but my big fav is to take a day off. I love this because I can enjoy a nice, quiet day at home with no distractions, commitments, or expectations. I can drink my coffee for as long as I want. I can take a midday nap. I can watch Netflix while snuggling my cats, knowing that I don’t have any reason to disrupt their sleep. It’s the absolute best feeling in the world.
That is, until it turns into two days. Then three. In the blink of an eye it’s been a month. The feelings I had that pushed me to take a day off decided to stay for the long haul. I feel more depressed and anxious. I am tired all of the time. I have nothing left to give. So what’s another day in bed? It’s not like anything will get any better…
Except it can. Self-care should change depending on your needs. Clearly, in these moments, taking time off and staying home doesn’t work for extended periods of time. When I get trapped by my favorite form of self-care, I need to modify my situation. Maybe instead of having coffee at home, I go out to a local coffee shop. Maybe instead of Netflix, I’ll do some reading or journaling. Maybe I’ll sit on my front porch for a bit, just to get out of the house.
The point is, self-care is great, but only in moderation. As the Spice Girls said,
Too much of something is bad enough, but something’s coming over me to make me wonder. Too much of nothing is just as tough. I need to know the way to feel to keep me satisfied.
Figure out what self-care you need, determine your serving size, and if you get too much, modify it for the next time.
-MG
