Beyond Crystals and Bubble Baths: Talking About Real Self-Care

On Health

Self-care - it’s both a profoundly important concept for our physical and mental well-being - a radical step in a culture that demands ever more of us, and it’s a phenomenon that has been trivialized by the wellness world - and any number of influencers and companies that suggest a bubble bath and a candle is enough for what stresses us. But real self care is so much more - it’s an inside job, as my guest Pooja Lakshmin, MD, shares with us. A-psychiatrist, author, and the founder of Gemma Pooja shares her journey from disillusionment in mainstream medicine to a unique commune experience, leading to her mission of redefining self-care in her new book, "Real Self-Care.”

In today’s episode we discuss:

• The turning point that led Pooja to drop out her medical residency training program and nd explore alternative paths.
• Pooja’s surprising decision to join an orgasmic meditation commune in San Francisco, the eventual decision to leave, and the lessons she learned.
• Her personal mental health struggles, including depression and thoughts of suicide.
• The pivotal moment that motivated her to return to residency and pursue her calling.
• The nuances between genuine self-care and the commodified wellness industry, clarifying that the book does not dismiss common self-care practices but challenges their commodification.
• The three common reasons people turn to self-care and how these dynamics manifest in her life and the lives of her patients.
• The principles of real self-care and the importance of internal processes, emphasizing the role of boundaries and their significance in fostering genuine well-being.
• The intersection of privilege and self-care, especially for mothers juggling multiple responsibilities.
• The systemic issues causing stress, reframing the conversation from burnout to betrayal and the societal pressures for perfection
• The importance of embracing "good enough., balancing excellence with realistic expectations.
• How positive psychology methods contribute to individual change and reshape the wellness narrative
• The challenges of balancing motherhood, professional responsibilities, and real self care.

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