Self-Care
Self-care seems to be a hot topic in today’s society, especially in this generation. This concept is often overlooked by Christians, as many feel like the act of caring for yourself is often selfish because it may be narcissistic and self-centered. I believe as a follower of Christ, self-care is one of our basic responsibilities, to be the best we can be to glorify God and to care for others.
Self-care is any activity that we do, deliberately, in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. When we do this, we feel the most confident and are able to present our best self, in order to glorify God.
One verse that intrigued me regarding this topic was Matthew 22:37-40. “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” What I gathered from this verse is that in order to love others, you have to love yourself. To love God is to honor Him with your heart, mind, soul, and body. When you honor God in every aspect of your life, you are able to love the version of yourself that honors God. When you take care of yourself in a way that honors God, you are able to care for others in the same way. Here are some ways to take care of your mind, heart, body and soul.
Caring for your mind.
Mental health refers to your ability to process information. Caring for your mind can also include avoiding stress. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to tolerate unpleasant people or situations for the sake of family, career, etc. Sometimes terrible things happen over which we have no control. Learning how to manage our painful feelings and accept some changes to our self and world view can help relieve stress during these times. Practice mindfulness by stopping at regular periods throughout the day and mentally checking-in with yourself. Get enough sleep to keep you charged.
To care for your mind, you have to know who you are and how you react to different situations. Figure out what interests you and do things you enjoy. Also, meet new people, learn a new skill, learn to dance, take up drawing or practice a new sport. Step outside your comfort zone. This is tremendous for your brain. Do something that stretches you and makes you somewhat uncomfortable. Listen to different music styles. Avoid boredom and keep your brain occupied by doing things you enjoy.
Caring for your heart.
Emotional health refers to your ability to express feelings which are based upon the information you have processed. According to the American Psychological Association, when people are happy, they are more likely to work towards their goals.
To care for your heart, know your values. We get influenced by our family, friends, and media, which shapes our worldview and what we believe. In order to build a value system, you need a set of values that you abide by. Base your values from the Bible and shape them according to the situations you face in your life. Make it personal to you. Having a good heart that reflects the likeness of Christ is important for a Christian.
Build a support system with people who encourage you in pursuing your goals and build you up. Jesus had a close circle who he surrounded himself with. He would spend time with them and they would go along with him for ministry, supporting Him in all His endeavors. Just like that, have a support system with people you trust. Sharing your problems with trusted loved-ones releases endorphins and is one of the best antidotes against stress.
Emotions can be powerful. During a conflict, give yourself time to think, and be calm before you say or do something you might regret. Never act when you’re angry. Always think twice about how your actions will affect you in the future. Stay positive and have positive connections with people.
Heal from any past regrets or brokenness. It is important to not blame your situations on someone else but grow from them, building a future that works best for you. Forgive others and be kind. You don’t have to be “besties” with those who hurt you but you have to forgive to move on from the hurt. Never hold grudges. As your heart heals from hurtful situations, you are able to feel a little lighter to be a happier and better version of yourself.
Caring for your body.
This part is more common to us as it’s what we see on the outside. Caring for your body is to get enough sleep, exercise, eat right and keeping your body clean.
The reason we should take care of our body as a follower of Christ is because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Training the body to follow a strict routine to live a healthy lifestyle requires some serious self-control! Self-control is part of the fruit of the spirit, which we should be practicing anyway. I know resisting chocolate and pizza might be hard when you’re trying to eat right and maintain your weight but if you can exhibit self-control and discipline in taking care of the created body that God has given you, you might be better equipped to practice self-control and discipline in the pursuit of godliness with the aid of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you. Not only that. When you have a healthy, clean body, you will have the strength to do your daily tasks and moreover be a representation of Christ.
Getting enough sleep is vital for your body as it keeps you refreshed and minimizes stress. You can concentrate on your daily work or studies better. Follow a good meal plan, eating food that is healthy as well as delicious, to keep you eating right and feeling good in your body. Exercise to keep your body fit and get your organs going. This may be a hard task for some but just walking to the nearby store can get you moving and get some exercise in your routine. Push yourself to do better each day.
Spending time for yourself in the morning, as you get ready, can really put you in a better mood and make you feel refreshed. Doing your makeup, skincare or dressing yourself, with a little more effort, can build a little more confidence and give you a push start for the day.
Caring for your soul.
This part is vital to keep you strong and at peace, even when you feel drained mentally and physically. The condition of your soul keeps you going, even if your body is weak. Nourishing your soul with the things of God brings you peace. Some things I do to keep my soul at peace is to strengthen myself spiritually. The word of God feeds my soul and keeps it strong. As I read the Bible and pray, the Holy Spirit in me reminds me of the scripture to strengthen me when I feel weak. He reminds me of God’s goodness and that everything will work according to His plan and all things will work unto good for those who love Him. Even though things don’t seem to go my way and sometimes it feels as though God is not listening to my prayers, I always trust that He has a plan for my life and His will shall prevail in the end.
When Jesus was on this earth, he would go to a secluded place and spend time praying to God and sharing His burdens. He would get rejuvenated as He waited for God each day and would get strengthened as he would go for ministry. It is important to spend time with God each day to be spiritually strong enough to face each day and the troubles it may bring.
Spending a few minutes per day reading the Bible and talking to God can really rejuvenate your spirit. Being spiritual doesn’t always mean spending hours and hours reading the bible, wearing traditional clothes or going to church on Sundays. Being spiritual is having a connection with God. I connect with God by singing praises to Him in the car while I drive to college, talking to God and sharing my worries as I shop for my groceries, or do a bible study by journalling at night. It’s simple things like that which helps me connect with God. It’s only difficult if you make it seem like it. When you thirst to be closer to God and put an effort into having a relationship with Him, it becomes so easy. Doing these small activities keeps me spiritually satisfied and my soul nourished.
As I nourish my soul by doing these small activities, I get reminded of God’s goodness during times of adversity to keep me going and keep me at peace. This peace is not as the world gives, but it’s the peace of God (John 14:27)!
Everyone needs to take care of themselves in a way that suits their lifestyle. For example, each athlete trains in a different way to achieve their goal. A marathon runner trains differently than a badminton player. Their diet, workout plan, and training is different. Another example is, a person who works in an office setting may need to exercise after coming home to get their blood flowing after sitting all day. A surgeon may need to come home and relax after standing all day. The routine is different depending on the person’s lifestyle. In the same way, we all have different lifestyles that shape who we are. So, we should alter these self-care techniques to suit our lifestyle and be the best that we can be, in all aspects.
There needs to be a balance of all these elements, not just focusing on one aspect more than the other. Make sure that you don’t indulge in these activities too much that you prioritize “self-care” over your relationship with Christ. As you infuse these activities into your daily routine, you eventually don’t pay much specific attention to it. It becomes a routine that blends into your day that it becomes your lifestyle.
How to care for others as yourself.
As we practice the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 3:22,23) each day, we tend to reflect the characteristics of Christ, treating people how we would want to be treated, handling every situation gracefully, without affecting the wellbeing of others. When we spend time taking care of our overall health, we will know how to take care of others and help them take care of themselves, to live a life of freedom and connection with Christ. The ultimate goal, as a follower of Christ, is to reflect Him and bring souls back to Him. Remember to do everything to bring glory to God and by helping others and showcasing His likeness, you exhibit that through your life. So, as you are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), taking care of yourself to represent Him in all aspects of your life is vital, as part of your Christian lifestyle.
As you pay attention to yourself and live a balanced and healthy lifestyle, you are able to feel your best in all aspects. When you feel your best, you exude confidence which makes you look your best and you become more approachable. When people are drawn to the confidence in you, you get to share God’s love and care for them in the same way you care for yourself. This confidence doesn’t come from the validation of man but knowing that you are doing your best to care and live the best version of yourself to ultimately glorify God (Jeremiah 17:7).