Is Self-Care Selfish?
I’ve written before about the importance of self-care and how self-care gets a bad rap, especially among Christians, because it sounds self-serving and self-ish. And because it tends to be peddled as “me first” care.
But self-care isn’t seeing to our needs first. It’s taking care of our responsibilities and loving the people in our spheres in practical hands-on ways, which takes its toll on our bodies, souls, and spirits.
Hence, reserving enough time to soak in a hot bath at the end of the day, or stopping mid-day for a 20-minute nap, or walking the river trail—that’s all part of good self-care.
This thought from author Parker Palmer:
“Self-care is simply good stewardship of the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”
The gift I was put on earth to offer others is myself—my compassion and kindness and love, my time and resources, my wisdom and humor and creativity.
Jesus practiced self-care. He got away by himself to a lonely place to pray and restore his body, soul, and spirit. Often.
There was the time when Christ’s disciples had come back from a ministry trip and were reporting all they had done and taught. Jesus said to them:
“’Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” – Mark 6:31-32
Here are 13 simple self-care ideas to practice in this new year that is quickly slipping by:
Get outdoors—on a park bench or your front porch—and practice accomplishing nothing. (You have permission to read and sip tea while sitting and doing nothing else).
Add some movement into the getting-outdoors—walking, hula hooping, jumping rope.
Meet a friend for chai lattes. Sip slowly.
Practice not borrowing things to worry about. (I have a T-shirt that reads, “Worry less, hike more.” Two self-care tips right there.)
Laugh with someone.
Name 3 things you’re grateful for in this moment.
Bake treats and share with a neighbor you haven’t gotten to know yet.
Volunteer.
Plant a windowsill herb garden.
Feed yourself with nourishing food.
Listen to soothing music.
Spend time with a loved one.
Focus on what’s going right.
On the biblical justification for self-care, Derrick Puckett writes on Redeemer City to City:
Spending time with God and knowing God is the first and most important part of biblical self-care, but there has to be intentional effort on our part, too.
Self-care. It isn’t just something we do for ourselves. We replenish body, soul, and spirit in order to be a better spouse, parent, friend, caregiver.
