What to Do When Self Care Is Not Enough

Last updated: July 26, 2023

Everywhere you look, you see advice about how self-care will ease all that ails you, and you have probably tried several ideas that will turn your life around. If only it was that easy, though. While self-care can benefit the mind just as much as the body, it is not some magic solution, so what can you do when self-care is not enough?

Establish Better Boundaries 

A lack of boundaries could be one reason you feel like your mental health is suffering, especially if you’ve felt guilty before after taking a mental health or self-care day. You can overcome this by setting healthy workplace boundaries that ensure you are not taken advantage of because you need a break just as much as anyone else. 

These boundaries apply to friends, family, or roommates. While their intentions might be innocent, they can easily overstep any boundaries if you haven’t been clear about them, so talk to them and gently let them know that you need them to take a step back for now.

Surround Yourself With the Right People 

You can also focus on the people that make you feel safe and secure. Surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends can solve some of your problems. It’s easy to feel isolated in this big, scary world, so having a shoulder to lean on can make a substantial difference. 

Since these people should be batting for you no matter what, you can rely on them to pull you back up when you’re down. They will be behind you and shower you with the support–and reality–you need to help you battle and overcome whatever demons you’re dealing with. 

Seek Professional Help 

However, the average person can only do so much for their friends or family who require serious professional help. Furthermore, having only friends and family as an outlet can lead to codependency, which is arguably just as dangerous for the mind. 

If you are struggling too much and don’t want to burden your loved ones any longer (despite what they might say) checking into rehab for depression could be the solution by providing expert help and treatment.

Don’t Let It Overwhelm You 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when dealing with mental health issues. Even the simplest tasks feel like climbing a mountain, and it often seems more tempting to not bother at all. 

This is perhaps the worst thing you can do, though. As overwhelming as things can be, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone struggles with problems, so remember that you are not alone and there are probably many people going through the same thing as you. You won’t get better if you don’t take a step back and let yourself live without trying to rush getting better. You’ve got this, and you’ll get there eventually. 

More Than Enough

This advice should help you work through your issues with greater confidence and efficiency than you would normally. However, you shouldn’t abandon the benefits of self-care such as a skin care routine altogether as it can still help you feel better about yourself. Instead, try combining these treatments and ideas with your regular self-care routine and see how much it transforms your life for the better.