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Happy Monday, boo! 
 
Today, I want to talk about a word that I am sure you hear often…
 
SELF-CARE
 
You're encouraged to practice it, but the question is - are you doing it right?
 
If you're reading this and thinking ‘pshhhh girl, I know how to self-care", let’s put it to the test….
 
Can you tell me which one of these is an example of self-care:
 
(A) You book a same-day message after having a stressful day.
(B) You pour yourself a glass of wine after a long workday.
(C) You take a week of PTO to recover from burnout.
 
These are actually all examples of SELF-SOOTHING, not self-care.
 
So, the answer is NONE.
 
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Self-Care vs. Self-Soothe
 
What's the difference?
 
Self-care is proactive and aims to prevent burnout, allowing us to thrive.
 
Self-soothe is reactive and primarily focuses on surviving the moment.
 
Let me break this down further.
 
Self-Care: The Proactive Approach
 
When you practice self-care, you proactively care for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being to thrive. It involves planning ahead and creating routines and habits that promote overall health and prevent burnout.
 
Keywords: proactive, thriving, planning ahead, prevention
 
Here are some examples of self-care:
  • Incorporating physical activity and hobbies into your daily routine to stay in shape and reduce stress by adding it to your calendar in advance
     
  • Starting therapy before you have a life moment that requires it (therapy is a powerful prevention tool that can help you gain greater self-awareness and develop coping strategies for the future!)
     
  • Booking a self-care trip or scheduling mental health day(s) in advance to recharge your body battery and prevent burnout (you don't want to wait until your battery gets to 0%)
     
  • Planning your meals ahead of time so you can eat a well-rounded diet filled with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains throughout the week (and have great energy!)
AFFIRMATION
"I make time for self-care because I value my well-being, and I deserve to feel nurtured and rejuvenated."
Self-Soothe: The Reactive Approach
 
Self-soothing is a reactive approach to dealing with stress and emotional turmoil when they occur. It involves using techniques and activities to manage immediate stress to survive.
 
Keywords: reactive, in the moment, survive
 
Here are some examples of self-soothing:
  • Doing deep breathing and relaxation exercises to calm your mind and alleviate anxiety during moments of stress
     
  • Going on medical leave from work to recover from burnout
     
  • Pursuing a hobby to temporarily escape from a stressful day
     
  • Taking brief breaks during the day to recharge and regain focus, especially when overwhelmed
 
Why Prioritize Self-Care Over Self-Soothing?
 
Self-care is your right-hand to thriving holistically in life, whereas self-soothing is a temporary survival strategy. Yes, self-soothing techniques are super important for managing stress and surviving difficult moments, but self-care will protect you from burnout and reduce the need for frequent self-soothe interventions in the first place. 
 
So, I encourage you to place self-care at the forefront and build proactive habits that prioritize your well-being. This will help you thrive in a world that demands so much of you.
 
You got this, boo!

 
I'd like to invite you to two FREE events happening this week:
 
Have a great week!
 
Ariel Belgrave, CPT
Certified Fitness & Nutrition Coach
Corporate Wellness Consultant
Board Member, Women's Health Mag
Under Armour Athlete
P.S. Feel free to forward this email to someone who could use this wisdom (sharing is caring!)
 
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