March 18th, 2025
Do you find yourself feeling frustrated or rolling your eyes when your therapist wants to revisit the topic of “self-care”? You’re definitely not alone. One reason why this term has become aggravating for so many is because of its constant overuse and misrepresentation online, especially on social media.
I frequently see influencers equate self-care with pampering -- but here’s the truth: no amount of bubble baths, face masks, serums, scrubs, matcha lattes, nighttime sleepy mocktails, or #Self Care Sunday will result in lasting improvements to your mental health. If you want glowy skin, you’re heading in the right direction, but if your goal is to improve the quality of your life and overall well being, it’s time to broaden your approach.
Okay, so what is self-care, really? Let’s break it down. Simply put, self-care is the practice of actively taking steps to preserve or improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. I know this definition might seem broad, but that’s by design! The truth is, self-care isn’t just one thing — it’s a wide-ranging approach that should touch on several aspects of your life.
It’s about creating a holistic routine that nourishes you in a balanced and sustainable way. A well-rounded self-care practice can include everything from your physical health to how you manage stress, your emotional well-being, and even how you nurture your relationships.
With that in mind, here are a few forms of self care and examples of ways they can be incorporated into your life:
Self-care is often treated as a luxury, when in reality, it is absolutely crucial to our overall health and well-being. Maintaining a well-rounded self-care routine doesn’t just improve our physical health — it also nurtures our emotional well-being, builds resilience, strengthens our relationships, boosts productivity, and enhances our overall life satisfaction.
All too often, I see clients who feel drained, disconnected, and unsure of why they’re struggling. Upon closer examination, a lack of self-care is often a major contributor to these feelings. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that self-care will resolve all of life’s challenges nor will it completely eliminate the impact of mental health diagnoses.
However, I can confidently say that prioritizing self-care will lead to improvements in many areas of your life and offering vital support and structure — especially during difficult times.
Another powerful way to understand the importance of self-care is by viewing it as an act of defiance to systems that thrive on our self-care being neglected. In a society that relentlessly prioritizes productivity and achievement, self-care can become a form of reclaiming your autonomy; It is an affirmation of your right to joy and peace, even in the face of oppressive systems and institutions.
Self-care also encourages community and solidarity in a society that often rewards hyper-independence. On a surface level, self-care is about prioritizing your health and well-being, but on a deeper level, it is an act of reconnecting with our multifaceted identities and engaging with what truly makes us human. Our ability to think, feel, and connect with others is what defines us as humans, and it is essential that these needs are prioritized in our lives.
To create a practical self-care routine that works for you and fits into your lifestyle, it’s essential to be real with yourself. Just because a five-day-a-week Pilates class works for the Instagram influencer you follow doesn’t mean that approach is going to work for you—and that’s okay!
Maybe committing to that many classes doesn’t align with your current schedule, or perhaps they’re not financially feasible. Or maybe, pilates simply isn’t your thing!
The key here is finding what works for you. There are countless ways to get exercise or move your body, whether it's yoga, dancing, hiking, or even just taking a walk. The important part is finding something that you enjoy and can realistically incorporate into your life long-term.
Another critical part of a sustainable self-care routine is starting small and gradually incorporating more over time. In other words, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to change everything all at once!
Once you’ve set your goals and broken them down into actionable steps, begin with a couple of manageable changes. For instance, if you want to incorporate journaling into your self-care practice, committing yourself to free-write for forty-five minutes every day may feel a bit daunting.
Instead, you could start with taking 5 to 10 minutes a day to jot down your thoughts or reflect on your day, gradually increasing your practice overtime in whatever way feels good for you. Taking things one step at a time will help you build momentum through small victories, without risking burnout.
Finally, remember that flexibility is key to maintaining a self-care routine in the long run. Life circumstances are always changing, and so will our self-care needs.
Incorporating flexibility into your routine allows you to adapt to life’s challenges and adjust your self-care practices when life throws you curveballs. By doing so, you’ll be able to continue to care for yourself through both the good times and the challenging ones. Let’s break it down below:
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Step 2: Start Small
Step 3: Prioritize The Basics
Step 4: Schedule It
Step 5: Be Consistent Not Perfect
Step 6: Adjust as Needed
Remember that self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Experiment with different activities to see what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try things you normally would not do, such as exercise, journaling, or learning something new.
Now that you’ve ignited a newfound passion for self-care, let’s discuss how you can practice self-care regularly with the following self care tips. The first step is to assess where you currently stand with your self-care. Take some time to identify which areas of your life you’re already doing well in and where there might be room for improvement.
To help with this, there are several online assessments available that can provide insights into where you may need to focus your attention. Once you’ve identified the areas that need work, begin reflecting on the specific changes you’d like to see in these areas.
One way to set yourself up for success in creating a routine is to set clear objectives for your self-care goals. For example, if you find that your social self-care is lacking, instead of setting a vague goal like “be more social,” aim for something more concrete, such as: “I will call a friend for a 30-minute chat once a week” or “I will attend my book club at least four times a month.”
The more specific and measurable your goals, the more likely you’ll be to follow through with them and track your progress. When you can clearly define what success looks like, it becomes much easier to stay on track and celebrate your wins along the way!
Another trick to staying consistent with your self-care routine is to write it down. Writing your goals, plans, and progress not only helps you clarify your intentions but also keeps you accountable. For example, you might write, “Every Monday and Thursday, I will do 15 minutes of yoga after work.”
Using a journal or planner to track your daily or weekly self-care activities can also be incredibly helpful. This allows you to visualize your progress and identify patterns over time.
At the end of each week, take a few moments to reflect on how your self-care practices made you feel. Did they reduce stress? Boost your mood? Use these reflections to tweak your routine as needed.
Building a sustainable self-care routine is about making intentional, consistent choices to nurture your well-being in a way that fits your life. It’s not just about following trends or “treating yourself” from time-to-time (although that can certainly help sometimes!), but rather setting realistic goals, starting small, and adapting your routine to suit your needs.
Prioritizing self-care is a powerful act of self-love and reclaiming balance and joy in a world that often demands too much. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection, and taking small steps toward a healthier, more nurtured you.
Taking the first step toward prioritizing your mental health is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. At Clarity Clinic, we understand that self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks—it’s about creating a foundation of support that helps you thrive in every aspect of your life.
Whether you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or simply feeling overwhelmed, our team of licensed mental health professionals is here to guide you.
Located throughout Chicago, Clarity Clinic is the best mental health clinic near you, offering personalized therapy and evidence-based mental health treatments tailored to your needs. From individual therapy to specialized PHP and IOP programs for teens and adults, we provide a safe, compassionate space where you can focus on healing and growth.
Self-care means taking care of your mind as much as your body, and therapy is a vital part of that journey. If you’re ready to invest in your mental health and well-being, Clarity Clinic is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule an online therapy appointment or an in-person therapy appointment with a therapist near you. Your mental health matters—let’s work on it together.
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