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When Self-Care Isn’t Enough

National Wellness Month August 28, 2023

Our National Wellness Month newsletter series is focused on raising awareness and promoting self-care practices. The series will consist of four articles, which will be released once a week throughout the month of August. Each article will cover different aspects of self-care, offering helpful tips and information to encourage readers to prioritize their overall wellness.

Self-care is one of the kindest things that we can do for ourselves, especially during times that all of our responsibilities and duties become overwhelming. But sometimes, self-care alone isn’t enough. Here are some signs that you may need a little bit more than what self-care alone can do for you.

Self-care can be a great way to boost your mood and revitalize your spirits. However, if you’re still feeling persistent anxiety or depression after indulging in your favorite hobby, trying out meditation, or making time for journaling and working through your feelings, there may be something bigger at play.

Similarly, if your self-care doesn’t do anything to help with your overwhelming feelings of stress or burnout, you may need to tackle the underlying issues as well. While taking the time to go for a massage, move your body, and do activities you enjoy are great for your mental health and overall well-being, they aren’t going to solve the issue entirely if you’re completely burnt out.

Finally, self-care may not be enough if you find that you’re still stuck in negative cycles or stagnant progress. If you’re using self-care as a coping mechanism or a distraction — but aren’t making much progress in actually tackling the root of the problem — it’s a sure sign that something else needs to change.

In cases where self-care alone isn’t enough, you may also need to take care of your mental health. Talking with mental health professionals, reaching out to a support system, and working through your feelings and emotions are good places to start. [1] By taking a closer look at your mental health, determining what areas of your life are causing you huge amounts of stress and anxiety, and deciphering how you can better address those hurdles, you can do more for yourself and your basic needs than self-care alone.

Lastly, consider creating a checklist using the 7 Pillars of Self-Care to ensure you balance your needs and well-being.

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