Self-Care Isn’t a Pedicure: Everyday ABA Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

This episode of Everyday ABA is for anyone who gives so much to others that their own self-care ends up last on the list. Let’s get real—self-care is not about candles or spa days. It’s about building daily habits that protect your energy and support your well-being.  Join Paola, Leslie, and Brittany as they break down how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) gives us the tools to redefine self-care, reduce burnout, and create a sustainable, values-driven routine that works—even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a BCBA, educator, parent, or helping professional, this episode will help you rethink what self-care really looks like.

 

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Learning Objectives for CEU:

• Define self-care from a behavior analytic perspective, including how reinforcement and motivating operations (MOs) influence the maintenance of self-care behaviors.
• Identify at least three environmental modifications that reduce response effort and increase the likelihood of self-care behaviors using ABA principles. 
• Differentiate between functional reinforcers and escape-maintained behaviors, and give two examples of each within the context of self-care.
  
  

References:

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.

Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta‐analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002-1

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. Guilford Press.

Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33(3), 321–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307300814

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (1997). The truth about burnout: How organizations cause personal stress and what to do about it. Jossey-Bass.

Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. Career Development International, 14(3), 204–220. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406