The TikTok-ification of Self-Care (And How to Fix It) with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
In this episode of The WorkWell Podcast™, Jen Fisher speaks with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and author of "Real Self Care." Together they unpack the commercialization of wellness and explore why so many women feel caught between achieving everything and finding time for authentic self-care. They navigate the complexities of caregiving, adult friendships, and finding hope in challenging times.

Episode Highlights:

• The four principles of real self-care: boundaries, compassion, values, and power
• Why the "pause" is the true boundary - not simply saying no
• The invisible burden of elder caregiving and why it's so difficult to discuss at work
• How to maintain meaningful adult friendships when life gets overwhelming
• Understanding hope as an active practice rather than wishful thinking
• The importance of finding small moments of joy and connection in daily life

Quotable Moment:

"Real self-care is an internal process. Boundaries, compassion, values, and power - those four internal principles, that's the work of real self-care. And then once you've done that, then you go to yoga, then you do your meditation. But if you're not using those internal principles and not doing that internal work first, then the external tools will be empty." - Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

Lyra Lens:
In this edition, Dr. Kendall Browne, Clinical Psychologist and Director at Lyra Health, unpacks the concept of "the pause" that Dr. Lakshmin identified as crucial for boundary-setting. She explains that while pausing seems simple, implementing it proves challenging—especially for women who feel pressure to respond instantly. Dr. Browne offers practical strategies for habitualizing this pause and distinguishes between different boundary types: porous (saying yes too often), inflexible (saying no reflexively), and purposefully permeable (thoughtful decisions about when to engage).

Resources:
This episode of The WorkWell Podcast™ is made possible by Lyra Health, a premier global workforce mental health solution. Learn more at Lyrahealth.com/workwell.