9 Self-Care Myths That Working Women Should Stop Believing

9 Self-Care Myths That Working Women Should Stop Believing If youve spent any time on Instagram or Facebook during the past couple of years, then youre undoubtedly aware of the self-care trend so popular among celebs, influencers, and those who like to stay on top of whats new and buzzworthy.Because we often find ourselves scrolling through photos of Kylie Jenners self-care spending sprees or the newest Insta stars elaborate spa treatments, its easy to assume that self-care isnt an essential priority for regular people, and plenty of myths circulate around the concept to back up that interpretation. But because were believers in self-care here at Fairygodboss, wed like to take this opportunity to disprove nine of the most common misunderstandings and explain why self-care comes in many forms and can benefit absolutely anyone.1. Taking a vacation is an easy cure for burnout.Self-care is often presented as a quick fix-it for larger problems, which breeds frustration and unrealistic exp ectations. A prime example? The notion that career burnout can be easily solved by taking a week-long vacation. This surprisingly-popular idea puts far too much pressure on said vacation, and, as chronic stress at your job most weeks of the year, finding occasional respite at a beachside location or an urban oasis simply wont balance out all the bad stuff. By all means, take full advantage of your PTO and enjoy your vacations, but dont expect them to be a cure-all for your work-related problems.2. Its selfish to focus on self-care.Objections to the concept of self-care often involve a hesitation to come across as selfish. Those who take this point of view assume that free time should automatically translate to time to do things for others, not for myself. What theyre missing here is the fact that, by investing time and energy in pursuits and activities that bring you joy and comfort, youre making yourself a more well-rested, present, and engaged person, for both your own benefit and for those who care about you.3. Self-care is a privilege only available to the affluent.If self-care feels like a total social-media buzzword to you, you may assume that you need to pay for pricey spa days or lavish beach vacations to the Greek Islands in order to partake. In truth, self-care can involve anything that makes you feel relaxed, healthy, and balanced. Simple activities like a walk through your neighborhood, a brief catnap, or a long bubble bath all qualify as self-care, and they dont require you to drop hundreds of dollars.4. People with children and family responsibilities cant prioritize self-care.As we mentioned previously, self-care isnt a completely selfish pursuit. That remains true if youre a parent or a caretaker youre not taking anything away from your kids and loved ones if you take a few moments to check in with yourself and do something that improves your mood and state of mind. In fact, youre giving them a happier version of yourself, which is an unambiguo us positive.5. Self-care routines are inflexible and time consuming.Weve all heard of long-winded self-care routines, like multi-step skincare regimens and 90-minute yoga sessions on a daily basis. But if you dont have that kind of time to spend, you can still find a self-care activity that makes sense for your schedule and your needs. And if your schedule and your needs change, so can your self-care routine. Feel free to change things up whenever necessary6. Anything that takes the edge off qualifies as self-care.Self-care centers around soothing behaviors that help you focus your thoughts, and it also places a premium on your physical health. Thats why certain unwinding behaviors, like drinking heavily, dont qualify as self-care. A holistic view is crucial here self-care should serve your wellbeing as a whole, and drinking to calm your mind at the expense of your body doesnt fulfill that need.7. People only need self-care if they have a problem.Self-care should be an essential nee d for everyone, regardless of lifestyle or mental state. You dont have a problem because youre interested in exploring self-care tactics on the contrary, youre making a valuable commitment to your wellness.8. Self-care doesnt count unless its documented on social media.The popularity of self-care documentation among influencers can make it easy to assume that your methods of looking after yourself dont count unless youre posting about them on Instagram, complete with perfectly-filtered photos. But self-care is about what makes you happy and soothed, not about outside expectations. If youre not a social-media maven, you dont need to fake it to do self-care right.9. Self-care isnt necessary for a happy and successful life.The bottom line self-care isnt optional. You can and should adjust your methods and find self-care options that fit your lifestyle, but deciding that your personal wellness isnt important will negatively affect every aspect of your life. Embrace the need to take care of yourself its an important priority, and it should be treated like one.--