The rise of ‘self-care’ videos on social media has gone from obscure to ubiquitous. The videos for routine chores, morning meditation or spa days at home are visually satisfying and are considered ideal self-care days.’ Along with taking pride in their holistic lifestyle, people also promote its benefits to a wider audience. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have now become platforms where self-care is marketed as a replacement for access to proper health care or therapy. This creates a false belief that certain activities or products can improve one’s mental health.
In a video posted last month, YouTuber Kati Morton, a licensed therapist, explains how you can distinguish between real and sham self-care, and how it can work differently for every person. . “If someone is feeling overly alert, the ability to stomp or jump can be beneficial. Even though it may not seem like traditional self-care, it can become problematic if your nervous system’s self-care is regulated to please others. In such cases, the focus is on extrinsic reward rather than the actual well-being of the individual.
Nutritionist, Trisha Singh, found her current self-care routine on Pinterest and believes the ‘perfect’ practice balances what appeals to you with what works for you. For example, a detox retreat may seem rejuvenating, but consuming too many fluids can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances, she shares.
Elaborating on the physical effects, nutrition coach Nikhil Arora says, “Jumping into a workout routine without personal consultation may increase the risk for people with undiagnosed cardio or respiratory diseases.”
Creators on social media are also part of the ‘social commerce’ scene, which is a lucrative way to earn commission by working with brands directly or at an early stage, creating relevant content where they introduce products to potentially build a relationship with the company. We do.
A representative of a cosmetic e-commerce platform says, “Manufacturers are pushing an increasing number of products for purchase at home, and while some of them deliver this to audiences, there is an unspoken bias that is built into the content. ” , “While demand for clothing, tech and wellness products increased during and after the pandemic, the survey revealed that more than 65% of shoppers reported skipping their self-care routines, giving the ‘false sense of comfort’ early on. Explains ’emotion’. ‘She lashed out’ or discovered that she needed more than external relief to meet emotional needs.’
