In the world of mental health, self-care is vital to the wellbeing of an individual. Self-care can be defined as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Self-care involves exploring one’s mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions in order to find out where adjustments and improvements need to be made in their life.
Some self-care practices for mental health include regular exercise, eating healthy, prioritizing sleep and relaxing activities, practicing gratitude and staying connected to yourself and people, just to name a few.
Regardless of the self-care practices you choose to incorporate in your life, may I suggest that you include God in it. The idea of self-care should always include God, simply because He cares about us. Consider these verses:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
– 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
– John 3:16 (NIV)
“We love because he first loved us.”
– 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
– Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”
– Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
These are just a few that describe the genuine care and love that God has for us. The God who created the heavens and the earth, who knew us in our mother’s womb, and who loved us before we had a chance to choose to love Him really cares about us. Some might even say that He cares about us more than we care about ourselves.
If we actually wanted to care about ourselves in a way that would improve our wellbeing, then it would be in our best interest to include the one who cares about us deeply into whatever practice we choose to engage in. We would benefit greatly if God was a part of every self-care practice we do because He knows what we really need.
Let me give you an example:
When I first started working out, I was amazed at how people like Josh were so “Jacked” and able to work out consistently and intensely, with little to no injuries (at the time). I remember asking him what he did for his workout routine and how he was able to not get injured and recover so quickly. To my amazement he said “I just pray before my workout.” At that point, I had been working out for about 5 years and I had never thought about praying before a workout. I honestly didn’t think you could.
I’m sure there are many factors as to why Josh is muscular and had little to no injuries in his workouts. But the fact that he chose to invite God into his workout routine suggests that he had some belief that God would help him and care for him as he engaged in these exercises.
Fast forward 10+ years, and working out has become more than just a hobby for me. It has become a place where I can work on myself physically and mentally but also spiritually. As I invite God into my workouts, I find that He ends up speaking to me and encouraging me. He reveals things to me and brings conviction to my heart. It has become one of the places I can go and commune with God. Exercising has become one of my self-care practices and it has an even greater impact on my mental health and wellbeing because I’ve invited God to be a part of it.
So regardless of whatever self-care practices you choose to partake in, consider inviting God into them and see the fruit that comes from the Lord.