The Self-Care Shift: Battling Guilt and Embracing Well-Being

If you’re in the Health & Wellness Industry, you know how challenging it can be to get people to commit to their own health, and occasionally put themselves first. This is true across the board, but it’s especially true for Mothers — in particular, Mothers in the Baby Boomer and Millennial Generation.

You see, the majority of women in these generations were not modeled self-care by the women who paved the way before them. Instead, they were taught that being a good mother meant sacrificing everything for their children and families, with little to no regard for their own well-being. Self-care was often dismissed as a luxury or even viewed as selfish.

Most of us know deep-down by now that self-care isn’t selfish, but rather, essential. We know that taking time for yourself isn’t about pampering or indulgence; it’s about prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health so you can show up as the best version of yourself for those you love. However, the knowing doesn’t take away that tinge of guilt most Mothers still experience, especially when it comes to substantially investing time or money into their own wellness routine.

So how do we shift this collective mentality and help Mothers overcome the guilt associated with self-care? It starts with education and empowerment. As health and wellness professionals, we have a responsibility to educate our clients about the importance of self-care and reframe their mindset around it.

We can start by emphasizing the long-term benefits of self-care, both for themselves and for their families. When mothers prioritize their well-being, they become happier, healthier, and more resilient, which ultimately benefits everyone around them. We can also provide practical tools and resources to help mothers incorporate self-care into their busy lives, showing them that it’s not about selfishness, but about self-preservation.

Additionally, we can lead by example. By practicing self-care in our own lives and openly discussing our own struggles with guilt, we can show mothers that they’re not alone and that it’s okay to prioritize themselves sometimes. We can create communities of support where mothers can share their experiences, seek advice, and encourage each other to prioritize self-care.

But more importantly than anything, If we continue to model wellness through practices like regular exercise, mindfulness, meditation, and therapy for our own children and the youth of our generation, we will raise health-conscious adults who don’t look at self-care and see a stigma, but instead, practice it unapologetically.

Ultimately, squashing the mentality that self-care is selfish requires a collective effort. It’s about challenging outdated beliefs, reframing the conversation around self-care, and empowering mothers to prioritize their well-being guilt-free. Together, we can create a culture where self-care is not only accepted but celebrated as an essential part of a healthy, happy life.