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When Self-Care Turns Toxic
It’s possible for self-care to take an ugly turn — here’s what to look for
Self-care is critical to feeling good, healthy, and happy. And while I will always encourage people to engage in self-care that works for them, it is possible to get it wrong. And when you get it wrong, it can become toxic and do far more harm than good.
But it’s not always easy to recognize toxic self-care. Especially when self-care is so personal to each individual, what’s fine for one person can be unhealthy for another. So how do you recognize toxic self-care when you’re doing it?
Consider these questions.
Is there a 12-step program about it?
There are programs for alcoholics, drug addicts, gambling, overeating and even sex addiction. While having an occasional drink, smoking a joint now and then, enjoying casino night at your church, or having some great sex are not necessarily a problem, the fact that there are programs dedicated to helping people kick them as habits tells you it can be a slippery slope.
If an act of self-care you enjoy has a program to help people recover from doing too much of it, your specific actions may not be toxic. But it should be a caution sign that causes you to keep a close eye on how much…
