It’s not that Dr. Pooja Lakshmin has something against scented candles. In fact, she thinks they can be quite pleasant. It’s just that purchasing candles or bubble baths or winery tours are not really self-care, they’re just consumerism. This is indicated in the title of her book, Real Self Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included). Dr. Lakshmin says a more satisfying and beneficial approach to self-care has four principles: boundaries, compassion, values, and power.

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

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