Real Self-Care audiobook cover - A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included)

Real Self-Care

A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included)

Pooja Lakshmin

★ 4.2 / 5(346 ratings)
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Categories:
Mindfulness & HappinessSociety & CulturePsychology

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Key Takeaways from Real Self-Care

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Mind Map

Real Self-Care
The Problem with Trendy Wellness+
Principle 1: Setting Boundaries+
Principle 2: Cultivating Self-Compassion+
Principle 3: Connecting with Core Values+
Principle 4: Asserting Personal Power+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the book, what is a primary flaw of trendy wellness programs and aspirational marketing?
  • A. They require too much time and commitment for the average person to maintain.
  • B. They focus on deep psychological work rather than practical lifestyle changes.
  • C. They fail to address systemic causes of stress like unequal access to healthcare and the mental load.
  • D. They discourage individuals from setting boundaries with their family and colleagues.
Question 2 of 7
Which of the following is NOT one of the four core principles of real self-care outlined in the book?
  • A. Setting boundaries and confronting guilty feelings.
  • B. Treating yourself with kindness and compassion.
  • C. Optimizing your daily routine for maximum productivity.
  • D. Asserting your power to take control of your life.
Question 3 of 7
Why do many people experience chronic guilt when trying to set personal boundaries?
  • A. They lack the communication skills required to express their needs clearly.
  • B. They believe they are responsible for the emotions and reactions of others.
  • C. They subconsciously want to sabotage their own personal peace and well-being.
  • D. They are avoiding the deep work of identifying their true core values.
Question 4 of 7
What does the clinical term 'psychological flexibility' refer to in the context of this book?
  • A. The capacity to change your core values based on your current life stage.
  • B. The ability to adapt your schedule to accommodate the urgent needs of your loved ones.
  • C. The willingness to try new wellness trends and diets until you find one that works.
  • D. The ability to take a mental step backward and observe your thoughts without taking them as truth.
Question 5 of 7
What specific strategy does the author suggest for dealing with a harsh, critical internal voice?
  • A. Counteract every negative thought with three positive affirmations.
  • B. Give the voice a name, like a fictional villain, to help separate yourself from it.
  • C. Ignore the voice completely by distracting yourself with highly productive tasks.
  • D. Channel the voice's harsh discipline into motivation for career success.
Question 6 of 7
What is the primary danger of slipping into 'martyr mode'?
  • A. It leaves your well-being at the mercy of others' appreciation and support.
  • B. It causes you to become overly rigid and inflexible with your daily boundaries.
  • C. It forces you to spend excessive amounts of money on wellness products.
  • D. It alienates you from your colleagues who view you as overly competitive.
Question 7 of 7
According to the final section, how does an individual practicing real self-care impact their broader community?
  • A. It creates a clear, strict hierarchy of responsibilities within families and workplaces.
  • B. It isolates the individual from toxic environments, ensuring they only interact with like-minded people.
  • C. It challenges the status quo and encourages others to be honest, accountable, and set their own limits.
  • D. It shifts the financial burden of mental healthcare back onto employers and the government.

Real Self-Care — Full Chapter Overview

Real Self-Care Summary & Overview

Real Self-Care (2023) exposes the dark side of the global self-care industry by connecting the systemic inequality faced by marginalized groups like women and people of color, and the stress, burnout and chronic illness faced by so many. It offers a science-based alternative and cognitive strategies for living with ease and purpose. 

Who Should Listen to Real Self-Care?

  • Frustrated self-carers who feel they’re somehow doing it wrong
  • Tired life-optimizers who wonder why they still feel behind
  • Those looking for kinder, gentler transformation from the inside-out

About the Author: Pooja Lakshmin

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is a board certified psychiatrist with both a clinical and private practice. She is a contributor to The New York Times and speaker on topics of gender and mental health, as well as the founder of Gemma, an education platform for women’s mental health focusing on equity.

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