what is selfishness and how to take care of yourself

September 15, 2022, 14:00

It is believed that if a person tries to improve his life, make the world around him more comfortable, learn to live in harmony with himself, he is an egoist! But is it? How to understand the difference between selfishness and self-care? We sorted out this issue especially for you.

Many people see the negative in wanting to do what they want, and even feel guilty about achieving their own goals and enjoying life. Experts believe that the reason for this is low self-esteem of a person.

However, every person, and especially a woman, must take care of their mental, physical and emotional health. Only then will he be able to direct energy and care into his work and loved ones. Some confuse self-care with selfishness, but the two concepts are not at all identical. Let’s figure it out.

What is selfishness

Egoists are people who think about themselves and also satisfy their needs at the expense of others. They put their desires above all else and usually achieve their goals with the help of others. According to egoists, everyone should sacrifice their interests for his sake. But taking care of yourself works differently.

“Egoism is not in the fact that a person lives as he wants, but in the fact that he makes others live according to his principles.”

Oscar Wilde once said. And this is the whole difference between an egoist and a person who takes care of himself.

What is self care

Healthy selfishness or self-care is a series of actions aimed at satisfying one’s own needs on one’s own. You are not an egoist if you want something and take it yourself, and do not demand from others!

Psychologists define this concept as an activity through which we invest energy, time, money in mental, emotional and physical health.

Also an important factor is the awareness of what cannot be called self-care. First of all, this is an activity that does not bring you joy. If you have to force yourself to do something, you are definitely not taking care of yourself. Your work or activities should reset you, not take energy.

How to take good care of yourself

Taking care of yourself is essential for lifting your mood and reducing feelings of anxiety. It is also necessary to properly build relationships with yourself and other people.

• Get enough sleep. The average person needs 7-8 hours of sleep per day.
• Watch your food. A healthy and regular diet affects your physical and spiritual health.
• Go in for sports. This activity is beneficial not only for the body, but also for the soul. Physical activity is good for mood and energy. So choose what you like and go for it.
• Go to the doctor. Taking care of your health is one of the most important factors in taking care of yourself.
• Communicate with loved ones. Communication with people, in particular relatives, can be a great way to recharge with new energy.
• Rest and relax. Walking down the street or relaxing in silence will help with fatigue, both physical and mental.
• Do something nice for yourself: go for a walk, talk, go to the movies, indulge yourself with goodies. Remember, one pleasant evening can outshine several unpleasant days.
• And most importantly — laugh! Laughter prolongs life and makes us happier.

Taking care of yourself is a great way to make life better, learn to enjoy the little things, relax and get energy. Do not confuse the concepts of «selfishness» and «self-care» and know — only by taking care of yourself, you can give warmth and care to someone else. In the meantime, we invite you to take a test to better understand yourself.

Selfishness test

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The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.