Guest Blog Author: Brittney Moses
Why Self-Care Is Important:
The idea of self-care may seem like the latest cultural buzzword, but the truth is that there are real mental and physical health benefits when we decide to make time to give ourselves a worthwhile reset.
Self-Care Matters:
It helps us live from intention…
It can be all too easy to get caught up in the busy cycle of life and the demands of those around us. We may soon find that we’re living our life from a constant state of reacting to things instead of being more thoughtful about our direction in life and reflecting on if we are actually living a life aligned with our convictions, values, and what were truly called to be doing in this world.
By pausing to practice self-care we’re allowing ourselves the space to make sure our life is built on a foundation of intentional choices rather than reactive ones.
Stress stores in the body…
While we may have an immediate feeling of overwhelming and anxiousness from the normal stressors of managing life, sometimes we can forget about the internal effects of stress on our bodies.
Specifically ongoing, chronic stress can contribute to:
- High Blood Pressure
- Anxiety
- Muscle Tension
- Headaches
- Chronic Pain
- Severe Fatigue
- Extreme Weight Gain or Weight Loss
- Digestive Issues
This is why having a rhythm of self-care can help with stress management, and will improve overall health.
Practicing self-care reminds us we are worthy outside of our production…
Many of us find ourselves on the slippery slope of tying our identity and worth to how much we perform or in the roles that we play. While nothing is wrong with wanting to operate in the spirit of hard work and being there for others, when we base our value on these things then we can lose a sense of self, especially when we’re not constantly performing, or we can even take-on feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
It’s important to be reminded that we are an individual worthy of love and belonging apart from what we do or the roles that we play. Our worth is in our being, not just in our doing. Self-care reminds us that we don’t have to be performing in order to be worthy of care. And we can practice this message through the actions we take with ourselves by giving ourselves permission to rest and just exist in love and care.
That being said, here are 30 ways to consider adding into the rhythm of your life for mental, physical, and spiritual self-care:
30 ways to consider adding into the rhythm of your life for mental, physical, and spiritual self-care:
Ways to take Care of Your Mind:
- Practice gratitude by listing 5 things you’re thankful for each day.
- Journal to help gain clarity on your thoughts, feelings, and convictions.
- Set boundaries around your social media and news intake.
- Take screen-time breaks and step outside to get fresh air.
- Have a designated “stop time” when you shut down and shift from all work-related tasks to being present at home.
- Pause and practice deep breathing when you feel overwhelmed.
- Choose to respond instead of reacting to the things around you by allowing yourself the space to process your own thoughts and emotions.
- Read from your favorite book for 20 minutes.
- Declutter to clear mental and visual space in your environment.
- Invest in learning more about something you’ve always had an interest in either through reading or taking a course.
Ways to take Care of Your Body:
- Incorporate 20-30 minutes of moderate movement into your daily routine (ie: walking, taking the stairs, stretching).
- Aim to getting around 7+ hours of sleep by settling into bed at a decent time.
- Use relaxing fragrances at night such as calming essential oils or candles.
- Stay properly hydrated with about 4-6 cups of water each day.
- Take micro-naps (20-30 minutes) as needed in the day for a reset.
- Add more servings of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
- Consider areas you can reduce your sugar intake or make healthier replacements.
- Meal prep. your lunch the night before to help maintain healthier eating habits (and save money)!
- Take a relaxing bath with your favorite book or music playlist.
- Schedule and show up for regular health appointments for preventative health care.
Ways to take Care of Your Soul:
- Start each morning with a grounding practice of prayer and mindfulness.
- Identify the things that are outside of your control and release them into God’s hands.
- Regularly surround yourself with people who strengthen and encourage your faith.
- Spend time in nature and be present in your surroundings.
- Make time for the activities and hobbies that bring joy and life to your soul.
- Listen to messages that refill your soul and inspire your faith.
- Make a list of the things that are most important and meaningful to you and work on building your life around that.
- Volunteer for a cause that gives back to the things that you’re passionate about.
- Allow yourself the quiet time to pause and reflect on how your life choices are aligning with your values and what needs to shift.
- Practice humility and compassion with yourself and those around you.
About the Guest Author:
Brittney Moses,
UHSM Ambassador, Mental Health Author, Lifestyle Content Creator, & Faith Advocate
Ambassador of UHSM, Brittney Moses is a mental health Author, Lifestyle Content Creator, and Advocate over integrating faith, culture, and wellness into one’s life. A mom and Los Angeles native, Brittney walks in-faith, using an informed approach to mental health. She is deeply seated in compassion for those she serves, from churches to youth non-profit ministries, Brittney Moses is a NAMI-certified Support Group Facilitator and Crisis Textline Counselor. Brittney Moses encourages others through a variety of mental health crises, and helps others through practical, holistic, and an evidence-based approach. Her latest publication and book, Worthy, helps others to focus on clarity and peace every day.
You can grab your very own copy of Worthy directly on the Amazon book marketplace!
Next Week: “WeShare 15 Ways to Celebrate Self-Improvement Month”
Join the UHSM blog next week for more proactive and preventative tips for living a balanced, holistic life, one which reflects the light of God and the word of God! Next week, we will celebrate Self-Improvement Month with special content and tips for gaining traction in this area of your life!
