Proper Self Care and How to Do It Right
Currently, there is a movement toward focusing on self, building self-esteem and more. Unfortunately, these trends can be distorted into a “you-don’t-matter-I-am-the-only-one-that-matters” mode of thinking. But that is not self-care. That is selfishness and contrary to the point and benefits of self-care. Self-care is essential for your health and wellbeing. The right amount and type of self-care enables to give to and love those around you.
Proper Self-Care is NOT
PROPER SELF-CARE IS NOT SELF-INDULGENCE.
You can find a myriad of articles on getting a mani/pedi as a way of practicing self-care. While it is a great way to pamper yourself. It’s not the only way. Proper self-care does not thoughtlessly decide to indulge in whatever you fancy despite its impact on time, your budget, or your family.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
PROPER SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH.
Yes, sometimes it means saying no to those who usually get your yes. Consider this, you cannot love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind and strength if you are exhausted by your schedule and commitments. How can you love your neighbor if you haven’t shown your own temple any care with rest and relaxation?
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Mark 6:31-32
Self-Care is Biblical
In the above verse from Mark, Jesus and His disciples were so busy they didn’t have enough down time to eat. He encouraged them to go away to a place for rest. I think in this instance desolate meant without throngs of people. In the same chapter, verse 45, Jesus sends the disciples ahead of him on a boat so they can seek rest. Jesus encouraged them toward self-care.
You need rest. No matter your calling, career or responsibilities, you need to take time to rest.
Self-care is a way to get this rest.
The Effective Practice of Self-Care
The point of self-care is to refresh, renew and energize you. It is for rest, reflection and relaxation. Self-care is very individual to each person. Some may find rest in spending time with a spouse while others want to literally be alone on a mountain side. You can determine your best practice of self-care by exploring these questions:
Refresh. What refreshes you? Like a dip into a cool pool of water on a hot day, what makes you feel fresh and clean again? Take time to consider activities which make you feel alive and revived. Is it something physical, spiritual or both? Is it something you do alone or with someone else?
There are times when you just aren’t good at self-care. You get bogged down in your daily duties and obligations. Self-care is an opportunity to renew your spirit and flesh toward those things God has called you to do. It is a time to evaluate, pray and meditate so you can renew your mind toward God. What activities can you take part in to renew your spirit, soul and body?
Even Jesus rested. He was napping on a boat in the middle of a storm. (Read: don’t feel guilty about taking a nap during a difficult time.) You need energy to take care of the people in your life. If you are exhausted and spent physically, spiritually, and mentally you are not offering your best. You are not stewarding the relationships and talents God has given you to the fullest. Take time to find your energy again. For some it might mean a daily nap or going to the gym or both. It could be just taking 20 minutes for yourself to decompress after a hard day. What activities give you energy or give you a boost of energy?
The Most Important Aspect of Self Care
PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.
Jesus was a busy and sought after man. Yet, he found time to go off by himself and pray (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Prayer, meditation, quiet-time, devotionals – whatever you call it – is the most important self-care practice you can adopt. It is during these times when you release temporal worries and hear from God about how to be refreshed, renewed and re-energized. Your prayer time is the foundation of self-care.
RETREAT. RETREAT. RETREAT!
Another way to practice self-care is to attend connecting and energizing retreats.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .