To: The Sweetest Of Hearts
Self care seems to be the talk of the town these days. Everyone is doing it—but what really is it? My church has a self care theme this year, and it is very interesting to hear all the topics and Bible verses involved with something I thought probably wouldn’t even be in the Bible in the first place. But when I think about it, it is!
This helps us know how to do it right. We have to remember, though, there are different types of self care. So, let’s get into it.
Types of Self Care
Self Care as Seen on Social Media
Often, self care is portrayed as pampering yourself—getting your nails done, going for a massage, having a facial, visiting a spa, or even taking a trip. But let’s break it down so that we truly understand what self care is. You might do all these things and still not feel okay.
Mental Self Care
Taking care of your mental state, by keeping positive thinking. And a balance between logical thinking and emotional thinking.
Keeping your memory in tact. Playing board games, reading nooks. Building mind building habits rather than just watching TV or scrolling through social media mindlessly (we all do this).
Spiritual Self Care
Taking time to remind yourself of the promises of God
“What does God say about you?” “God says I am ___.”
Physical Self Care
Taking care of your body: taking your vitamins, seeing a doctor, exercising, changing your diet, making lifestyle changes, and getting enough sunlight.
Don’t let depression and anxiety cause you to overeat or gain addictive habits as a way to cope. Instead, find healthier coping mechanisms. ( Remember Food is fuel—we need it to survive, but don’t let it rule us)
Emotional Self Care
This world is… a lot. At times, it can feel like the earth has turned upside down. Our lives change suddenly, hitting us like a bag of bricks.
It’s important to recognize that it’s okay to feel the way we feel—anger, hurt, pain, shame, guilt. We all experience these emotions, but they should not hold us down.
Take time to talk to a therapist, counselor, or someone you trust to process these emotions. You might be surprised—places like BetterHelp or Talkspace are covered by your insurance and offer ways to chat, text, FaceTime, or message. Take advantage and get some stuff off your chest.*
Also, take time to pray and read your Bible. This helps to replace negative thoughts and feelings with the love and positivity that God has shared with us in His word.
Moving Toward Better Self Care in Our Daily Lives
1. Don’t Overwork Yourself or You Will Burn Out
Overworking—whether at work or outside of work—can leave you feeling like you have nothing left.
Symptoms include:
Always angry
Always sad
Feeling lost or hopeless
Never feeling like you're going to make it
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
As one of the youth said in the last service, you might have to quit your job if working doubles to make money, its ruining your mental state. Even the Lord took a day of rest after creating the whole earth and everything in it. Rest your mind, relax, take a walk, put yourself at ease. Look around you, be present enjoy all the nature that God created around you. Take time to admire the works of the Lord.
Now, of course, this isn’t an easy step for all of us and may not always seem realistic. But if you can take a sick day—or really, a mental health day—get away from the kids if possible for one night and BREATHE. Take a walk or run, and free yourself from burnout and overworking.
2. Realize You Are Your Own Person
Outside of being a wife, a mother, a husband, or caregiver, remember that you are you. Recall the things that used to spark joy in you.
Symptoms of losing yourself might include:
- Feeling a loss of purpose
- Feeling depressed
- Feeling lost in life
- Wondering what God has in store for you
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.
Do you remember that time you smiled and laughed so hard your sides hurt? These are the moments we need to experience again. Revisit your hobbies and do them again! Certain things may be easier than others depending on life’s circumstances, but when the opportunity presents itself—just DO IT!
3. Take Time to Remember All the Good Things in Life
When we don’t, we tend to get stuck in a rut—a routine cycle that never seems like it’s going to end. Symptoms include:
- Negative thinking
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Quickness to anger
Why not break it up with a short vacation or a weekend getaway? If the kids are a bit older, plan a trip for everyone to enjoy and create new, lasting memories.
4. Organize Your Thoughts Alone
If you’re anything like me, you tend to overthink and overanalyze, and your mind becomes a storage place for unnecessary thoughts.
Symptoms include:
- Overreactions
- Thinking everyone is against you
- Believing you must think for everyone else
- Expecting people to be mind readers
- Feeling overwhelmed
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
I find it super helpful to step away from a situation and meditate, listen to music—or even Christian music—and do some breathing exercises. Then, when I am calmer, I grab my prayer journal and express all my feelings and thoughts to God by writing them down to organize them. I then take another moment of silence to listen for what God is trying to tell me. Things can get very overwhelming—even Jesus had to go alone to pray and process His situation. There are moments when God places us alone so that we can truly look to Him for all our answers. We are so busy looking left and right and doing other things that we don’t have time for God. Maybe this is the moment God wants you to look to Him, trust in Him, and show your faith.
5. Create a Support System
Sometimes talking to people who have the same issues as you and have a testimony to share can help you realize you’re not alone in this.
Symptoms of isolation may include:
- Feeling isolated
- Feeling alone in everything
- Depression
- Anxiety
Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Maybe the situation you are in is one that no one else has experienced exactly. You may have to do some research and find people who understand what you’re going through. As stated earlier, talking to a therapist or engaging in prayer can help. But don’t just look for people who agree with you all the time or who are always your yes-men—look for people who want you to seek growth and become better through correction. Sometimes, breaking these bad habits, which we didn’t even know we had until friends pointed them out, can help us find inner peace and become better people.
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I hope that these five ways help you to embrace self care and become a well-balanced human being. In this fast-paced world—this place we call Earth, which can be too much to handle at times—we need balance. We need to take care of ourselves, and we need God in ways we never even knew He would be involved. Constantly seek God and know that He is on your side. I hope this helps you find some new ways to practice self care.
Thank you, Sweethearts!
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