When you want to do it all–family, career, friends, adventure–self-care often can take a back seat. Even though we need to take care of ourselves to function at an optimum level and achieve the success we want, self-care can be misconceived as a selfish act or an excuse to be lazy. A 2022 Gallup report reveals that 60% of people are emotionally detached at work, and an additional 19% are “downright miserable,” underscoring the challenge of achieving a genuine work-life balance.
Self-care is starting to be seen in a new light, both by individuals and companies. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll found that nearly 9 in 10 Americans (89%) recognize that “being lazy” can be a form of self-care, resulting in stress reduction, improved mental health, burnout prevention, and improved sleep.
Yvette Bitz, Director of Leave of Absence Services for Clean Harbors, a provider of environmental and industrial services, says: “Self-care is a sign of strength and self-respect. It’s not selfish–it’s necessary for you to thrive and be the best version of yourself.”
The Myth of the Superwoman
Bitz shares how she once viewed self-care as a luxury, working tirelessly until she reached a point of burnout. She encourages women to let go of the “superwoman” ideal and instead focus on small, sustainable steps towards self-care.
“My magic wand all day long, is the ability, and it’s okay, to say no,” she says. “I had no boundaries set up. The first thing was being able to say ‘no’ and be okay with it, and stick to my guns…because outside of work, I’m always the one doing.” Before establishing boundaries, Bitz realized that her overwhelming commitments were forcing her to sacrifice essential aspects of her well-being, particularly her health and sleep—the very foundations she needed to function optimally in all areas of her life.
Put Away the Guilt and Breathe
When you compromise on essentials like proper rest and self-care, you risk undermining your mental health, which supports your emotional resilience and overall psychological well-being.
Something Bitz now does daily to help her meditate and feel better is a breathing exercise she calls “5-5-5.” Bitz says to breathe in for five seconds, hold for five seconds, and exhale for five seconds. She says doing five sets of 5-5-5 has helped her to ground herself when she feels panicked or overwhelmed.
Make Self-Care Your Top Priority
Bitz says it’s important to ask yourself what you can do to be the best version of yourself every day.
“What are you going to do differently than you did yesterday? Because people just do the same old, same old. They’re going to burn out, they’re going to give up, they’re going to complain more, they’re going to find excuses to cut corners,” she says. “Or, when you see someone cutting corners, get in there right away and say, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ Catch them before they fall.”
A version of this article is featured in Edition 3 of 2024 in our official magazine, Redefining The Road. Download it here.
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Yvette Bitz, Director of Leave of Absence Services for Clean Harbors, a provider of environmental and industrial services, says: “Self-care is a sign of strength and self-respect. It’s not selfish–it’s necessary for you to thrive and be the best version of yourself.”
