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Ashlyn LaClair, Grad Intern “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
In a fast paced world, taking care of your spiritual health is just as important as caring for your physical and emotional health. Luckily, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a Perfect Model of spiritual well-being. We are invited not only to believe in Him as our personal Savior, but also to follow in His perfect unforced rhythms of grace. As Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, Jesus is a better way of life and shows us exactly how to live it. Spiritual self-care is not about rigid routine and religious obligation, but about learning to walk with Christ in a life-giving way. Follow Christ and He’ll show you the way. Outlined below are some spiritual self-care practices of our Savior Himself. But remember that the best spiritual self-care is not about striving harder but drawing closer to Jesus. A. Solitude and Prayer
B. Sabbath and Rest
C. Scripture and Reflection
F. Serving Others
G. Surrender and Trust
The key to spiritual self-care is fostering a deep, intimate relationship with God and learning to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace, as Jesus did. He will show you real rest. Watch Him and learn. His invitation is yours.
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Karis Austin, Grad Intern Let’s talk about self-care. You know, the essential practices you recognize you should be doing, but often feel too busy to manage or aren't sure how to implement. When we think of self-care, most people consider physical aspects such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and exercise form the cornerstones of well-being. Alongside these essentials, occasionally treating yourself is also significant. In the Parks and Recreation episode “Treat Yo Self,” Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford emphasize the importance of self-pampering as they take the audience through a day of indulgence that includes shopping for clothes and receiving massages.
Sleep rejuvenates both our minds and bodies. Numerous processes, such as cell regeneration and digestion, occur during our rest. Insufficient sleep hampers these vital functions and can have adverse effects. Studies suggest that children require 9-12 hours of sleep, adolescents need 8-10 hours, and adults should target over 7 hours per night (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022). Allowing your mind and body adequate rest empowers you to lead the life you aspire to. Moreover, establishing and adhering to a sleep routine can enhance both the quantity and quality of your sleep. Food and water serve as fuel to keep our engines operational. Consuming processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy items may lead to dysregulation. Well-balanced meals that consist of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy carbohydrates supply essential minerals and vitamins, including B, C, and D. These nutrients support the proper functioning of both the mind and body. Hydration is crucial for overall wellness as well. Dehydration can adversely impact mood and cognition (Nauert, 2012). It’s advisable to drink over 2 liters of water daily to ensure the body functions optimally. Humans are not designed to be stagnant. Our bodies thrive on movement, whether through a vigorous workout or a leisurely stroll. Research indicates that adults should participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week (Laskowski, 2023). Traditional forms of exercise, such as going to the gym, running, cycling, and attending workout classes, are excellent choices. Additionally, alternative activities like Pilates, yoga, dancing, and walking are also important. How can you assess if you are physically caring for your body? Awareness of your physical state is crucial for recognizing areas you might be neglecting. Being attuned to your body enables you to identify its needs. One effective way to foster this awareness is through a body scan—beginning at your toes and moving upwards to your head, paying attention to the sensations in each area. Do you feel any tension? Be mindful of areas that feel heavy or tight and consider strategies to relieve this discomfort. Do you need to take a walk? When was the last time you ate? How much sleep have you been getting? All these activities are essential for maintaining high levels of functioning, but it’s equally important to indulge in self-care. Regular massages, intentional grooming, and baths are wonderful methods to care for your body. Getting your nails done, napping, spending time in nature, and scheduling routine medical appointments are also vital practices for maintaining physical well-being. Remember to “treat yo self” occasionally! Edward R. Laskowski, M. D. (2023, July 26). How much exercise do you really need?. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916#:~:text=Get%20at%20least%20150%20minutes,or%20more%20in%20a%20week. Rick Nauert, P. (2012, February 20). Dehydration influences mood, cognition. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/news/2012/02/20/dehydration-influences-mood-cognition#1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, March 24). Why is sleep important?. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/why-sleep-important Madison Drake, APC What is burnout? If you are reading this, you or someone you know may have a problem with saying “yes” too often. Burnout can be defined as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that is caused by prolonged stress. Feeling drained or being unable to focus on the task at hand because of the mile long list of all that you have to complete today can be a sign of burnout. Being intentional and slowing down are simple things to say, but they will truly help the weariness that comes with each new task on the list. With being intentional, the “list of things that must get done” will begin to shorten, leaving more time to rest and restore. In the fast-paced world we live in, it is almost expected to experience burnout. We work everyday, we drive everywhere, we are expected to live up to this expectation of “human” that society has given us; but what we miss out on is the in between, the things that truly matter.
With prolonged stress comes an unhealthy lifestyle. Our bodies can survive with a healthy amount of stress, but when this quickness becomes the everyday speed, it can do more harm than good. The immune system begins to weaken, blood pressure spikes, anxiety is constant, or there is a lack of physical rest. Stress creates excessive amounts of cortisol which can lead to mood disorders, weight gain and even a stroke. This is not written to scare you, it is written to get your attention. There was a time where I, like you, have experienced burnout. It was not a one time thing, but it was bad enough to get my attention to where I am now able to catch it before it gets bad. I had a conversation with a friend and compared my life to a thanksgiving plate. I piled up the work hours, my serving at church, the time spent in the car and the filler, everyday tasks like cleaning and taking care of my body. There were so many places I agreed to be at one time, the hypothetical plate got so full that I began to notice there was not enough room for me in my own life. Thankfully, I learned the word “no”. In the book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, (which you will see in our posts this month!) there is an invitation to take the call of Jesus in Matthew 11 seriously. To follow Him, find rest, and take up the “easy yoke”. The writer gives examples of what burnout looked like in his own life, and how he, with the help of scripture and good community, was able to slow down and experience life as it was intended to be lived. By practicing a Sabbath and living in simplicity, Comer shows the way that we can pick up the “easy yoke” offered to us by Jesus, and live a life that is full. Burnout is not the enemy, and it can be avoided. The way we approach life is how we can begin to notice if burnout exists. Feeling exhausted from work or life in general can steal our joy, ultimately leaving us worn out and unable to do good work. Let this be your reminder that your worth is not found in a completed to-do list. If you are ever questioning your worth or how to live a life that is full, reach out to one of our counselors and let us help you create the balance you have been searching for. |
Bethel HavenWritten by our counselors to help promote your help, hope, healing Archives
April 2025
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1622 Mars Hill Road Suite A Watkinsville, GA 30677
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Bethel Haven, Inc.
Copyright © 2016
1622 Mars Hill Road Suite A Watkinsville, GA 30677
P: 706-310-9046
[email protected]
Bethel Haven, Inc.
Copyright © 2016
