Psychologists Reframe Self-Care as Inherent Entitlement, Not Reward

Psychologists Patri Psicóloga and Yolanda Cuevas are actively promoting the concept of self-care as a fundamental, inherent right for all individuals, rather than a luxury or an earned reward. They advance this perspective through their ongoing presentation of the program, "Autocuidado para la vida real" (Self-Care for Real Life). This platform strategically integrates professional psychological rigor with accessible humor to challenge deeply ingrained societal beliefs concerning the allocation of time, financial resources, and personal energy toward mental and physical health, including the necessity of adequate rest.

Patri Psicóloga, a Doctor in Psychology and author of 11 books, frequently collaborates with Cuevas on initiatives focused on mental and physical well-being. Their central thesis directly advocates for the audience to internalize that self-care is an entitlement, not a prize contingent upon the outcome of a day. This message confronts the common tendency, particularly among women, to experience guilt or perceive selfishness when dedicating time to personal needs, often rooted in a belief that personal value is tied to constant service to others.

The program is designed to prompt critical self-reflection on pervasive signs of burnout, such as the inability to establish firm personal boundaries or the experience of profound guilt when prioritizing personal time over external demands. Yolanda Cuevas, a licensed Psychologist with a Master's in Clinical Psychology and expertise in EMDR and high-performance sports coaching, frequently incorporates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques. Both practitioners offer concrete, actionable strategies intended to bolster emotional resilience and dismantle the internalized guilt that often prevents individuals from prioritizing their own well-being.

This advocacy aligns with contemporary movements within positive psychology that favor proactive mental health maintenance over reactive crisis intervention. For instance, Cuevas emphasizes that mindfulness practice, which involves being present without judgment, is a practical opportunity to reconnect the brain, noting its neuroplasticity benefits from this focused presence. Patri Psicóloga has extensive experience applying psychological principles to elite sports, stressing that mental training is as crucial as physical conditioning, having worked with professional teams such as RCD Mallorca and Betis.

To facilitate this cultural shift, the psychologists encourage audiences to move beyond vague commitments like 'caring for my health' and instead specify concrete activities across areas like physical activity, intellectual growth, and rest, making self-care tangible and schedule-worthy. They suggest that even small, non-negotiable actions, such as prioritizing sleep or incorporating physical activity, can serve as foundational anchors for sustained self-prioritization if significant time cannot be dedicated. By reframing self-care as a right necessary for self-respect and setting an example for others, Patri Psicóloga and Yolanda Cuevas aim to foster a culture where mental and physical equilibrium is viewed as the essential prerequisite for an engaged life.