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5 Self-Care Mistakes You're Probably Making

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Ellie Williams
5 Self-Care Mistakes You're Probably Making

Self-care is a popular buzzword, with many people striving to achieve it. Despite the best of intentions, there are a lot of self-care mistakes that are easy to make. Falling into these self-care mistakes has negative consequences on your health and well-being. In this article, we’ll discuss five major and common self-care mistakes and provide tips on avoiding them. 


Not making yourself a priority. 

Not prioritizing yourself is a major self-care mistake because self-care should always involve caring for your physical, mental, and emotional needs. Prioritizing your needs is crucial to maintaining good health and avoiding burnout. 


Without prioritizing yourself, you neglect your needs, which may lead to feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed. These all negatively impact your physical and mental health, but also relationships and overall quality of life. Making yourself your priority means setting aside time for self-care activities, including exercise, meditation, hobbies, and social self-care.


Prioritizing yourself also means setting boundaries and saying no to things that don’t protect your well-being. By prioritizing yourself, you give yourself the space to recharge, rejuvenate, and improve life satisfaction


Not Protecting Your Physical Health

I'm sure the first thing that is popping to your head when you think of physical health is exercise. Although exercise is good and an essential part of taking care of your body, it's not the only thing you do to do. If you have headaches, stomach problems, or other consistent medical concerns, you should consult your doctor. By getting a check-up or an annual check-up you can have peace of mind knowing that your body and health are being cared for properly. For some, they may have an underlying physical health problem that they didn't even know about and as soon as they tackle it head first, everything else feels like a weight lifted off their shoulder. Therefore, when you have the chance, go see a doctor and ensure your body is taken care of and maybe grab a coffee and walk around your neighborhood to enjoy some fresh air and Vitamin D.


Incorrect hair care routine for your hair type

Humans love their hair but don’t always know how to care for it correctly. If you wash your hair too frequently, you strip your hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. Using hot tools like curling irons and hair dryers also damages your hair, so limiting your use of these tools is essential to maintaining the quality of your hair.


Additionally, using products too heavy or light for your hair type can lead to scalp greasiness, dandruff, and dryness. Like your skin, your hair needs protection from heat and the sun. Wearing a hat or using products with SPF protects your hair from UV damage. 


Additionally, if you’re applying treatments to your hair, such as topical finasteride for hair loss, it’s crucial to use it daily to get your desired results. Hair care is essential to self-care, so it’s best to ensure you’re doing it correctly based on your needs and hair type. 


Not getting help

A vital part of self-care is recognizing when you need support and seeking help when necessary. When struggling with mental health issues, stress, and other problems, reaching out for assistance from someone you trust, like a close friend or professional, is essential. 


Without seeking help when you need it, leads to feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and burnt out on life. Avoiding getting the help you need can lead to physical and mental health issues, strained relationships, decreased productivity, and lowers overall quality of life. Getting help can take many different forms, whether it means talking to a friend, joining a support group, or seeking medical treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist. By acknowledging the support you need and taking the necessary steps to receive it, you actively approach improving your overall well-being more effectively and sustainably. 


You don’t invest in social self-care

Humans are social creatures and need positive social interactions and connections to thrive in life. Social self-care involves nurturing new and existing relationships, setting boundaries, and engaging in joyful and fulfilling activities. If you neglect social self-care you feel isolated, lonely, and disconnected from others. This can negatively impact your mental health leading to depression, anxiety, and increased stress. 


Investing in social self-care means making time for the people that matter in your life, whether that means spending time with loved ones, participating in group activities, or serving your community by volunteering. Social self-care also means setting boundaries with toxic relationships that drain your energy or cause you to stress.


Investing in social self-care strengthens your relationships, increases your sense of belonging, and improves your overall well-being. Proper social self-care can lead to greater happiness, resilience, and a more fulfilling and happy life. 


You think self-care=spending money. 

Self-care doesn’t inherently involve spending money, but many think it does. While some forms of self-care may require spending money to go to the spa or buy nutritious foods to improve your diet, many other self-care activities are free and can fit any budget. 


For example, taking a walk outside, practicing yoga, reading a book you enjoy, or spending time with friends and family are all examples of self-care you don’t have to spend a dime on. Additionally, self-care can look like setting healthy boundaries, saying no to things that don’t serve you, and making your well-being your priority. 


When you think self-care means spending money, you discourage yourself from engaging in meaningful self-care activities or feel guilty for not being able to afford certain forms of self-care. However you practice self-care, it's crucial to remember it's about taking care of yourself in a sustainable and meaningful way, regardless of how much you have in the bank. 


You’re not doing things you enjoy

Self-care involves doing things you enjoy and those that bring fulfillment. Engaging in activities you enjoy reduces your stress, boosts your mood, and increases overall happiness and life satisfaction. If you neglect to do things you enjoy, you can be left feeling burnt out, uninspired, and unfulfilled. This can negatively impact your mental and physical health, as well as your relationships and overall quality of life. 


Engaging in activities you enjoy means participating in your favorite hobbies, sports, and creative pursuits, and spending time with the people you love. By making time for activities you love doing, you make them a part of your self-care routines and prioritize them. Investing in a good mattress is also beneficial for physical health. By doing things you find fulfilling, you feel more resilient when faced with challenges, improve your relationships, and harness a more positive outlook on life. 


Better self-care

It’s clear that taking care of yourself is essential to your well-being, but it's key to be mindful of any mistakes we may be making along the way. By avoiding some of these common self-care mistakes we’ve discussed in this article, you can improve your overall quality of life and cultivate greater life satisfaction. Remember, self-care is an ongoing process, but it’s never too late to start prioritizing your well-being. 


Megan Isola


Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends. 

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