The term self-care has received a lot of attention lately; however, it is not a new concept. The bible gives instruction for taking care of our bodies. For example, Exodus 34:21 tells us to take a day of rest. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Self-care involves being aware of your physical and mental needs and taking the time to invest in you. Taking time to exercise, eat healthy, finding time for the activities you enjoy, and having “me-time” are all part of self-care. You should be consistent with self-care. It should be a priority for you. Self-care should be a part of your everyday routine. However, if you miss a day or two do not give up just get back on track.  It is not selfish to practice self-care and you should not feel guilty for taking time for yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Not taking care of yourself will make it difficult for you to help others.

Practicing self-care will take research on your part. It is developing a plan specific for you. You should be aware of your body. Do not ignore issues. Know your limits and do not let anything or anybody push you beyond them. I believe our bodies speak to us. We just need to learn how to listen. Your body when let you know when you need to rest. It will give you signals when you need to change how you eat. It will speak to you about the stress in your life. Physical pain can be a signal from your body that something is wrong. You should not ignore sudden changes in your body. Seek professional help for any consistent problems.