Dear College of Education Community,
What is “true self-care” and how does it help us in our everyday lives? As discussed in a 2023 Psychology Today article, Psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin states “that the heart of true self-care is this: Real self-care brings you closer to yourself.” This includes behaviors, feelings, and thoughts that support “the degree to which you feel true to yourself.” Dr. Lakshmin cites a meta-analysis from 2020 that found that “feeling true to yourself is associated with greater well-being and greater work engagement.” There are 4 principles necessary to achieve real self-care, according to Dr. Lakshmin:
- Setting boundaries helps you protect your time and self-esteem and is, therefore, a prerequisite for finding your authentic self.
- Self-compassion helps you set boundaries with yourself, for example, when your inner voice becomes self-critical, guilt-ridden, or perfectionistic.
- Knowing your core values is the keystone of the authentic self.
- Asserting power helps you create community standards that enable true self-care for all.
- Self-knowledge—an awareness of your most vital interests, strengths, temperament, abilities, goals, and values—is essential for decision-making that reinforces your authentic self.
To read more, see below:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/202312/what-is-the-essence-of-true-self-care
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019188691930577X
Lakshmin, P. (2023). Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness . NY: Penguin Life. pp. 37, 197, 226.
Selig, M. (2009). Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit Change Success. NY: Routledge, pp. 48-52.
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
May we all embrace true self-care in our lives.
Warmly,
Shari