In today’s world, many people feel as though they have to do it all. Juggling work, children, home life, and more can leave you feeling spread pretty thin. All these things are necessary and add purpose to our lives, but it is important not to neglect yourself in the process of taking care of everything else. Being your best self means making sure you are properly cared for, protected, and fed–both physically and spiritually. Try to carve out time, even if it’s just small moments, for self-care.
Prayer
When you wake up in the morning, before you begin dealing with the busyness of the day, start with prayer. The first moments when you wake up can provide a sense of clarity and help shape how the rest of your day goes. Think of all the things you are thankful for in your life: your health, your family and pets, career, friends, the song of birds outside your window. When you start listing all the things you have to be grateful for, you will realize how truly blessed you are!
Reading
There are many benefits to reading. When you read, you are boosting your memory retention, learning new words and concepts, and fully immersing yourself into just one task. Reading can provide an escape from the busy world outside. Whether you are reading The Bible, poetry, or the current best-selling paperback, it can be a welcome distraction or break from what is going on around you. When you have time, settle down in a quiet space to read – whatever you like.
Meditation
Meditating is a quiet activity that is centered on being mindful. Your mediation may focus on your breathing or self-awareness, or you may choose to meditate on a specific scripture from the Bible. There are many benefits to meditating: reducing stress, improving sleep quality, enhancing self-awareness, and more. Find a quiet spot and just be in the moment.
Do Something Fun
When you were a child, did you love drawing, journaling, painting, or putting together jigsaw puzzles? Sometimes, people may lose sight of the simple pleasures that used to bring them joy. Take some time to revisit these activities or find a new passion. Think about what makes you happy or brings you personal fulfillment and do it!
Go Outside
Take a few minutes and get outside. Breathe in the scent of the freshly mown grass, admire the brilliance of the clear blue sky (does that cloud look like a rabbit!?), or pick some wildflowers for your kitchen window. As you look around, appreciate everything God created for us – from the tiniest hummingbird to the magnificent warmth of the sun that brings life and light to our world. Admire the beauty and take pleasure in knowing that you are among God’s amazing creations.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2