Self-Care

As we continue to raise awareness about mental health, we should not neglect the topic of self-care.  When self-care is mentioned some of us might remember the “Calgon take me away” commercial from way back when.  Why “take me away”?  Let’s talk about this. 

At times we might be content, happy and “in charge” of our day, but there are times in our lives that we may feel overwhelmed by things – sometimes simple, sometimes more complex.  What changes from day to day?  Is it our job?  The weather?  The bills?  Our mother in law?  You might start questioning yourself:  Am I enough?  Am I a good mom?  A good neighbor?  A good daughter?  Questions such as these can inundate our thoughts on any given day, and cause us to not function effectively, but in today’s reality of “staying at home” and reduced social contact they can overwhelm us.  And sometimes those thoughts can make us feel like we want to get away from it all.  Escape almost.

Causes for need for self-care could include physical, emotional, spiritual, mental or social. 

• Physical: This includes practices that affect your physical wellness like getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising regularly.
• Emotional: This includes self-awareness of your feelings and knowing how to manage them, like reducing stress and saying positive affirmations.
• Mental: This includes stimulating your intellect and creativity like trying new things that challenge you positively, doing puzzles and crosswords or reading a book for pleasure.
• Spiritual: This includes following your personal beliefs for a deeper understanding of yourself and others. It also includes our connections with things that are bigger than ourselves.
• Social: This ncludes connecting with others who support you or bring you joy.

Lack of self-care can lead to added worries, unrestful sleep, anxiety and aggravation.  Validating our feelings and emotions is a great start to understanding the need for self-care.  We often “forget” to take care of ourselves because we devote ourselves to care for others.  But before we can effectively care for others, one must take care of one-self.  What does that look for you?  Is it meditation, a cup of coffee, chocolate and/or prayer?  We need to re-charge our batteries every once in a while to be effective and productive. 

After Jesus started to call his first disciples and started preaching and healing others, he needed some time to “recharge” and do some self-care before continuing preaching on through Galilee.  Mark 1:35 says: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  Self-care.  He did this without having to explain to anyone what he was doing or why. 

That’s the beauty of self-care.  You don’t need to explain to anyone why you need time for yourself, or what you’re doing.  Self-care can be as simple as taking a five-minute break, praying, taking a quick stroll and breathing in the fresh air, walking your dog, drawing, etc.  Just remember to take care of yourself.  A handy checklist can help you with your self-care regimen.  Writing up 3 good things that happened today can also bring you self-care awareness.  

Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.   So the next time you feel like you need “Calgon to take you away,” smile and remember, even God needed a day of rest after all his Creation.   

When I feel like I need to get away, I look around me.  I enjoy the beauty of nature, flowers blooming and mowers’ sounds.  I am grateful for spending time with my teenage girls, even though they’re distance learning right now and would rather be with their friends.  I pick up the phone and talk to my mom, my brothers, my mother-in-law. I send letters the old-fashioned way to those I haven’t seen in a while, I put on a colorful blouse and do my hair.  And as I sit down with a cup of coffee to read an affirmation or devotion, I say to myself – I AM enough … and God is there with me.

Peace in Christ,

Frances Fernandez