AKA Self-Care Continued…….

So, last week I posted on self-care. Given that we are about to enter the busy holiday season, I thought it would be good to continue this topic! True self-care isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a rhythm.
It’s not about escaping your life; it’s about learning to live well in it. Even around the Thanksgiving table with those lovely people you call family.

Here are a few ways to build that rhythm:

1. Start small and specific.
   Instead of saying, “I’ll take better care of myself,” choose one practice you can realistically do. For example: “I’ll take five deep breaths before I open my email,” or “I’ll go for a walk three evenings a week.”
   
2. Pair self-care with something you already do.
   Anchor new habits to existing routines: stretch while the coffee brews, pray while you drive, breathe deeply when you wash your hands.
   
3. Notice what truly restores you.
   Ask yourself after each activity, Do I feel more connected, more present, more at peace? Keep what works. Let go of what just numbs or distracts.
   
4. Make it multidimensional.
   Try to touch on all areas of well-being:
   
   • Physical: rest, nutrition, movement
     
   • Mental: healthy boundaries, learning, rest from screens
     
   • Emotional: connection, therapy, creativity
     
   • Spiritual: prayer, community, worship, reflection
     
5. Give yourself permission to pause.
   Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking time to care for your own heart equips you to love and serve others better.

Maybe it’s time to redefine self-care—not as something extra you do when life calms down, but as a quiet, consistent way of honoring the life God has given you.

Ask yourself:

• What does my body need right now?
  
• What does my soul need right now?
  
• What small act could I do today to return to peace?
  

Remember, self-care isn’t a reward for surviving the week—it’s part of how we live as whole, healthy people. When we intentionally care for the body, mind, heart, and spirit God entrusted to us, we don’t just feel better—we become better able to love, to listen, and to live fully present.