Self Care vs. Self-Indulgence

Self care is vital for people with mental illness. But what exactly is self care? Many of us think of a long bubble bath with a glass of wine. But how about maxing out your credit cards in the name of “retail therapy?” It feels good, right? How does self care differ from self-detriment?

In today’s show, Gabe and Lisa dig deep into the concept of self care, what it means, and how we can take it too far. Is it still self care if it feels good in the moment but is bad in the long term (like eating 20 cookies)? Or is it self care if it feels bad in the moment but is good long term (like exercise)? 

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https://psychcentral.com/blog/notcrazy/

About The Hosts

 

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.

  

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.