garagegym107

As a therapist, I cannot begin to tell you the frequency with which I use airplane pre-flight instructions to illustrate the need for self-care. I am sure that you remember the flight attendant saying something like…

“If you are flying with small children or others who may need assistance, please place your own oxygen mask on before assisting others.”

Somehow, people get the idea that to put themselves first, to practice good self-care, makes them selfish or narcissistic. Well, let’s look at the definitions of narcissism and selfishness from dictionary/reference.com:

Narcissism: inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.

If you eat the right foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and engage in one or two hobbies, does that equate to an inordinate fascination with oneself? Probably not. How about selfishness?

Selfishness: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one’s own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.