Stress is a completely normal human reaction—in fact, it can even have positive effects. But what happens when your stress levels go haywire? If you're a chronically stressed-out person (and after the last year, who isn't?). Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish. Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.