The following Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Marxist and is narrated by Brock Armstrong.

Examining the concept of self-care.

Once in the midst of a dinner party conversation while I was describing my work,

a smart and eccentric woman interjected with a thought I've considered ever since.

Exercise, good eating, lots of sleep, those are what keep me healthy. Self-career, on the other

hand, she explained, leaning forward, smiling and stabbing the air with her fork, that's what keeps me healthy. Self-career, on the other hand, she explained, leaning forward, smiling and stabbing

the air with her fork, that's what keeps me sane. There were some laughs and several enthusiastic

nods around the table. I understood in a general sense what she meant, but the concept got me

thinking. What exactly is self-care? Beyond their requisite showers,

teeth brushing and nail-clipping, beyond the eating well, exercising, sleeping, and sunning,

what does this mean? Naps, facials? As I've considered the idea over time, I've come to see it

in a less precious and gendered terms than I think is common. time, I've come to see it in a less precious and gendered terms than I think

is common. Ultimately, I've come to believe that self-care puts a name and value to self-attunement

in action. I think we all have known people who do everything they should, and yet end up a frazzled mess.

They may practice all the pieces, so to speak.

They go to the gym four to five times a week.

They eat a worthy diet, even by primal standards.

They go to bed by 10.30 every night and try to manage their stress.

Yet somehow they've missed something fundamental along the way. The sum of the parts

ends up less than whole. Even when we consider the added elements of the primal connection,

the time in nature, the effort to do something creative, the prioritization of social relationships,

the center isn't quite there. I think the habits of

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