Self-Care
Let’s take a moment to consider this topic of self-care. What exactly is this, and how does it work? Well, it is different for each person, and yet the design for it is simply to care for yourself.
I want to look into the spiritual aspect of self-care.
According to one source, the definition of self-care is to take action to preserve or improve one’s health. (see google search at bottom of the page for definition).
Let’s take this definition into a spiritual arena
In the Greek, the word βλέπω (pronounced blep-o) carries this concept of seeing something physical, with spiritual results (https://biblehub.com/greek/991.htm). As we look into the spiritual self-care, let’s consider how to look at things with our physical eyes, and see the spiritual impact.
Hear these words, “So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see” (2 Kings 6:16-17, NKJV). There are spiritual things we cannot see, and we must put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-18).
The apostle Paul says this, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, NKJV). Although self-care is more than physical exercise, the same is true for spiritual self-care.
How do we accomplish such a task? Through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (NKJV).
We must be directed by the Spirit of the Lord, and this will also help us to perform self-care, for our mind, soul, body, and spirit.
Now we have a little bit of understanding on this topic, let’s consider some ways this can happen, and, by the way, I am horrible at this, and still working on submitting my will to God, and learning how to say NO to good things, so I can say yes to the best things. This is what self-care on the physical and spiritual realm looks like.
Sleep.
I know you are probably aware how much sleep impacts all areas of your life, but let’s consider this a bit more.
Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. The way you feel while you're awake depends in part on what happens while you're sleeping (This is a quote from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency).
Notice this article does not suggest or submit that sleep plays a vital role in your spiritual health? Most research has left this aspect out of the discussions, yet here it must be a strong consideration into our self-care plan (spiritual and physical).
I know that I am never more dangerous to anyone else, including myself - than when I am exhausted.
Our sleep is disrupted by our media usage late at night, keeping the phone on next to the bed, the tablet, the laptop, the television (are they called that anymore?). Yet, many people use their smartphones as an alarm clock and personal computer.
Our sleep is disrupted in our caffeine intake. How much coffee do you drink on a daily basis? What time do you stop drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks?
Our sleep is disrupted by what we eat for the last meal of the day, our sugar intake, and the timing of the meal. Do you eat late at night?
Sleep must be a primary concern in our lives. I am still working on it.
2. Limited time on computer (I think they are called smartphones and tablets now)
How much time do you spend on the laptop, tablet, mobile-devices, and other media-related platforms? We have 168 hours in a week. Give yourself this test, ask how many hours do you work or go to school, how much time is spent watching media stuff? How much time with recreational activities, how much time is spent on spiritual health, and self-care (going for a walk, praying, etc.)? What other things do you spend time on? How much sleep do you get.
3. Eat healthy
What you put in your body impacts you, and not only with possible physical illness such as diabetes, cancer or other things. My oncologist told me back in 2016 how cancer likes sugar, and processed foods (to which I responded, “Darn, I like those things also!"
What we eat, impacts our moods, I become lethargic (sluggish, apathetic) when I eat poorly, have a lot of sugars and so forth. I enjoy ice coffee with French vanilla-swirl and cream, no sugar there right? Ha! Lots of sugar and bad calories, and yet it is almost an addiction. (In the DSM-5, caffeine is listed in the Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), next to alcohol, and other things such as nicotine.
You have heard the expression “You are what you eat” and this is an accurate statement. If we eat poorly now, our moods are disrupted, our minds get foggy, our actions become slower, and we just don’t feel good.
Part of a self-care plan to help both the spiritual and physical well-being must include eating well.
Don’t worry if you are struggling in these areas, I am also, yet the more I sleep well, turn off media relations, and eat healthier, the better my spiritual and physical well-being become.
Check these areas of your care-plan, and adjust where you need to.
Don’t let anyone tell you that the mind, soul, body, spirit are not connected.
I can come up with some other areas to consider, and the next blog I write we will look into these areas:
prayer / meditation
quite time and contemplation
journaling
vacation
family time
doing something that you like which is healthy (biking, running, writing, reading, singing, dancing…)
other areas… (church, fasting, art).
Although these may not be on your radar, they are important, and can help the process of finding hope.
If you don’t have a self-care plan I want to encourage you to consider it, put it in writing, and know it will take some time to develop a new healthy habit, but you can do this, find someone to come alongside of you, do this with someone you love.
I pray this has been slightly helpful to you, please leave your comments and I will get back to you, I look forward to our discussions.
Blessings to you.
https://www.google.com/search?q=self- care+meaning&sxsrf=AOaemvJuMu0gWPcjx1ygeTBEgL4x69YLlw%3A1632698488174&source=hp&ei=eABRYcn_B7KFwbkPhuGEsAg&iflsig=ALs-wAMAAAAAYVEOiIn7EzfH0R5kqrhO0bid2IAnWsHG&oq=self-care+&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYBDIKCAAQgAQQhwIQFDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoECCMQJzoFCAAQkQI6DgguEIAEELEDEMcBEKMCOggILhCxAxCDAToICAAQgAQQsQM6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOgsILhCABBDHARCjAjoICC4QkQIQkwI6BQguEJECOggILhCABBCxAzoLCC4QgAQQxwEQrwE6CAgAEIAEEMkDOgUIABCSAzoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6DQgAEIAEEIcCELEDEBQ6CggAEIAEEEYQ-QFQvQdYjRJgzEFoAHAAeACAAZkEiAH3EpIBCzEuNS4wLjIuMS4xmAEAoAEB&sclient=gws-wiz