While bubble baths and face masks are great, this is often mistakenly labeled as self-care. I’m prone to “treating myself” by enjoying a treat or taking time to watch a show during a busy school week. I think it’s so important that we change the way we view self-care and what self-care truly is.
More likely than not, when the word “self-care” is presented to you, I bet you think of small “treats,” like doing a face mask or having time to yourself. While these are technically acts of self-care, it is so much more than that. As a society, we look at simple acts as a treat for ourselves and call it self-care. The basic definition reads, “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health” (Oxford Languages). I can agree that throwing on a face mask can improve your health, but it shouldn’t be looked at as a “reward.”
My goal of this article isn’t to bash those who want to indulge once in a while, but to bring awareness to how much you deserve, and on a daily basis. It is so important to practice the true meaning of self-care and do all that can improve your health, both physically and mentally. Self-care should be putting yourself first everyday rather than just taking a night off.
Some ways to truly practice self-care involve being active, consuming healthy foods, getting lots of sleep, practicing good hygiene, surrounding yourself with loved ones, partaking in activities that bring you joy, and finding time for relaxation. Focusing on the bigger picture and practices that will improve your well-being is the best way to care for yourself.
Go put on that face mask, but don’t do it as a way of treating yourself, do it because you truly deserve it, and do it as frequently as you want! Everyday should be a self-care day and a day in which we do something to improve our health and overall well-being.