Another article pointed out how “self-care” has become a buzzword that covers anything from overindulging to extravagant getaways. The more I studied, the more I realized three simple truths that can change the way we view self-care.

1. Self-care is NOT selfishness. On an airplane, we’re instructed to secure our own oxygen masks before helping others, even our children. You fill your gas tank before going on a trip (and routinely—hopefully—before the tank is empty and you end up on the side of the road). Think of self-care as routine maintenance to improve your overall performance and mileage.

2. Self-care is a routine. As a mom, sometimes self-care is as simple as going to the bathroom alone, taking two minutes to cut your toenails, or 30 minutes to shower and wash your hair without interruptions. Self-care is developing habits that make your day better.

3. In short, self-care is boring. Self-care is getting up a few minutes earlier to set your mindset for the day. Self-care is doing what you know is important for your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Self-care is reining in bad habits and replacing them with better ones. Self-care is often doing the next right thing.