The Difference Between Self-Care and Indulgence: Investing in Your Wellbeing for the Future

You've heard us going on and on about self-care but today I want to talk a little bit about how we sometimes confuse self-care with indulgence. Self-care is so much more than indulging in feel-good activities. It's about taking care of yourself and investing in your own well-being, both now and for the future. Self-care isn't just a way to pamper yourself; it's an essential part of maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional health. It can involve anything from getting enough sleep to eating nutritious meals or engaging in exercise as well as taking a break when you need it - all things that are beneficial for both your short term and long term wellbeing. By investing time into self-care now, you're setting yourself up for success later on down the road. In this article we'll explore how self care differs from indulgence, why it's so important to prioritize self care over indulgence, and some tips on how to make sure you're taking proper care of yourself every day.

Defining Self-Care and Indulgence

Self-care is any activity that helps you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It's about making choices that will benefit your future self, not just satisfy a craving or desire in the moment. Examples of self-care activities include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, taking a break when needed or doing things for yourself despite feeling overwhelmed or tired. These are all activities that help to maintain and improve your overall wellbeing.

On the other hand, indulgence is when you give in to cravings or desires in the moment, without regard for the long-term consequences. Indulging can feel good in the short term but often comes with negative effects in the longer term. Examples of indulgence include skipping meals to eat unhealthy foods, spending too much money on something you don't need, or binging on Netflix instead of getting enough sleep.

How Self Care Differs from Indulgence

Self-care is about investing in your future self, while indulgence is about satisfying a craving or desire in the moment. Self-care activities are beneficial for your overall physical, mental, and emotional health, while indulgence activities can actually be detrimental to your overall wellbeing. Self-care can help you build resilience and strength for when life gets tough, while indulgence may make it harder to cope with adversity.

Self-care can encompass many different activities, from small everyday rituals to bigger lifestyle changes. Common examples of self care include: getting enough sleep (at least 7-8 hours each night), exercising regularly (at least 30 minutes per day), eating nutritious meals and snacks, taking time for yourself to relax and unwind, meditating or journaling, spending quality time with friends and family, or engaging in hobbies that nurture your creativity.

On the other hand, indulging in feel-good activities can quickly become a habit that's hard to break. Common examples of indulgence are: spending too much money on things you don't need, skipping meals or eating unhealthy foods instead of nutritious meals, binging on Netflix or social media instead of getting enough sleep, buying sugary treats as a reward for completing tasks instead of setting longterm goals and rewards.

It's important to remember that both self care and indulgence can be beneficial in moderation; it's all about striking the right balance between the two. Self care can help address any underlying emotional issues that may be causing you stress or making it harder to cope with adversity, while indulging in some guilty pleasures every so often won't hurt either. It's just important to remember not to overdo it when it comes to indulging in feel-good activities – make sure you're still investing time and energy into taking proper care of yourself mentally and emotionally as well.

Why it's Important to Prioritize Self Care over Indulgence

When it comes to your wellbeing, self-care should always take priority over indulgence. Taking care of yourself now will have a huge impact on how you feel and perform down the road. Investing in yourself today sets you up for success tomorrow - it allows you to handle stress better and boosts your overall physical and mental health. On the other hand, too much indulgence can actually be detrimental to your wellbeing in the long term. We aren't saying give up your favorite treat or your treasured Netflix bingeing days - just remember to prioritize self care over indulgence.

Tips on Practicing Good Self-Care Habits Every Day

The first step to creating a self-care routine is to recognize what makes you feel good mentally, physically, and emotionally. Identify activities that will help you invest in yourself - like taking care of your body with healthy food choices or getting enough sleep - and make them a priority.

Here are some tips to help make sure you're prioritizing self care over indulgence:

• Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night and aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day.

• Take regular breaks throughout the day and reward yourself with things that won't harm your physical or mental health – like taking a warm bath or going on a walk outside.

• Keep track of your eating habits and strive for balanced nutrition with every meal.

• Give yourself permission to take time off if needed – it's okay to step back from work or school for a bit if it's what you need.

• Make sure to spend quality time with family and friends – even just a few minutes to catch up can make a difference in your wellbeing.

• Find hobbies that nurture your creativity and give you joy – like painting, playing an instrument or writing.

• Identify your sources of stress and find ways to cope with them – like talking to a friend or journaling.

No matter how you choose to self-care, make it an enjoyable experience, not something you dread doing. Be intentional about carving out time and energy for it, and remember to always prioritize self-care over indulgence.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Investing in Your Future Self

Self-care is an important part of overall wellbeing and should always take priority over indulgence. Investing in yourself today sets you up for success tomorrow - it allows you to handle stress better and boosts your overall physical, mental, and emotional health.

Take the time to identify what activities make you feel good mentally, physically, and emotionally – then prioritize them. Make sure to give yourself permission to take breaks when needed, and spend quality time with family and friends. Also don't forget to find hobbies that nurture your creativity and give you joy!

Remember: self-care is more than indulging in feel-good activities - it's about making an investment in your future self. So make sure you're taking the time and energy to prioritize self care over indulgence! Good luck!