Self-Care: It’s Not All Bubble Baths and Green Smoothies
- adltherapies
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
Let’s talk self-care — but not the Instagram-worthy, spa-day, hot-stone-massage kind. While those are great, self-care doesn’t have to be expensive, time-consuming, or fit into a picture-perfect wellness trend.
For me, self-care looks like sitting on a clean patch of earth with my daughter every morning, watching our 11 pet chickens go about their quirky little lives. We discuss the politics, hierarchy and laying schedule as well as take in the joy that they provide. It's simple, grounding, and something I do every day. No candles, no yoga mats—just a moment to reset.
If you’re someone who hears "self-care" and instantly thinks "I don’t have time for that!", stick with me. Let’s break it down.
What Even Is Self-Care?
Self-care is anything that helps you recharge, reset, and look after yourself, mentally or physically. It’s about taking intentional time to do something that helps you feel calmer, clearer, or more like yourself.
It doesn’t have to be exercise, meditation, or an elaborate routine (unless those things bring you joy). It can be pizza - Eating your favourite meal because it makes you happy. Watching reruns of a show you love because your brain needs a break. Reading a book with zero educational value just because you enjoy it. Spending time outside—even if it’s just five minutes of fresh air. Blasting your favourite song in the car and singing terribly at full volume.
It’s not selfish, it’s not lazy, and it doesn’t have to be a big production.
When Do You Need to Address It?
Let’s be real—most of us only think about self-care when we’re completely burnt out. By that point, we’re running on empty, snapping at people, and feeling overwhelmed.
The trick? Start before you hit that wall. Some signs you might need to prioritise self-care:
⚡ You feel irritable over small things
😩 You’re exhausted but don’t know why
📉 Your motivation is tanking—even for things you usually enjoy
🤯 You feel mentally foggy and can’t focus
🥱 You start neglecting the basics (hydration, sleep, eating proper meals).
If you’re ticking off more than one of these, it’s time to hit pause and check in with yourself.
How Often Should You Do It?
Every. Single. Day.
But before you roll your eyes and say "I don’t have time for that!", hear me out—self-care doesn’t have to take an hour. Some days, five minutes is enough. Think of self-care like charging your phone. If you wait until it’s at 1% before plugging it in, it’s going to take forever to recharge. But if you top it up regularly, it stays functional. You’re the same!
Even small moments of self-care done consistently can make a huge difference in how you feel day-to-day.
What Forms Does Self-Care Come In?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some types of self-care:
💛 Emotional Self-Care – Talking to a friend, journaling, or allowing yourself to take a break
🧠 Mental Self-Care – Listening to a podcast, learning something new, or setting boundaries around negativity.
🏃 Physical Self-Care – Moving your body in a way that feels good (not forced!), eating nourishing food, or getting enough sleep
🌿 Environmental Self-Care – Tidying your space, lighting a candle, or just sitting in nature (like me and my chickens)
.🎉 Joy-Based Self-Care – Doing something purely because it makes you happy. No productivity, no ‘gains’, just joy.
Find what feels good for you, and ditch the guilt.
Why Is It Important? What Can It Help Prevent?
Ignoring self-care leads to burnout, stress, exhaustion, and resentment—none of which help you be a better clinician, parent, partner, or human in general.
Regular self-care helps:
✔️ Reduce stress and overwhelm
✔️ Improve mental clarity and focus
✔️ Prevent burnout and compassion fatigue
✔️ Increase patience, energy, and resilience
✔️ Help you be more present (with clients, family, and yourself).
You can’t pour from an empty cup—so don’t wait until you’re completely drained before allowing yourself a break.
Final Thoughts: Make It Work for You
Self-care doesn’t have to be big, fancy, or expensive. It just has to be something that fills your cup—even if it’s as simple as sitting outside, eating your favourite snack, or watching your chickens do ridiculous things (highly recommend).
Now, I want to hear from you—what’s your go-to form of self-care? Drop it in the comments! 👇
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