Restful Self-Care: Cultivating Mental Wellness
care mental health relaxation self-care stress relievers May 26, 2022Dear Sister in the Light,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in this uncertain world, prioritizing our mental well-being is vital. As a licensed therapist, my passion is to equip you with practical tools to enhance your mental health.
Today, I want to emphasize the significance of self-care. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as "taking action to preserve or improve one's mental health and well-being." Self-care isn't selfish; it's an act of self-love.
If we don't care for ourselves, who will? Self-care means treating yourself with the same love you'd show to a dear friend. It doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming, but it must be intentional.
One remarkable aspect of self-care is rest. It might seem counterintuitive, but rest is a powerful action.
Resting grants your mind the stillness it craves. In a world filled with tasks, decisions, and sensory overload, our minds never stop processing. By allowing your mind to be still, you release the stress that accumulates throughout the day. Rest enhances creativity, productivity, and decision-making. It refills your energy reserves, preparing you to face life's challenges.
Rest also preserves your energy for what truly matters. We all have limited hours in a day, and there's always more to do. If you exhaust your energy on less important tasks, you won't have the strength for what's truly significant.
Think of a wise basketball coach who doesn't overwork their star player but strategically rests them to deliver peak performance when needed.
My challenge to you is this: schedule rest into your life. It could be 10 minutes daily, a couple of hours weekly, or a weekend each month. This act of self-care will profoundly impact every aspect of your life.
Remember, self-care is an affirmation of your worth. You deserve to be cared for.
With love and light,
Wendi Christensen, LCSW
P.S. - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." – Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Categories
All Categories abijah about me abundance abuse accident accountability activities for children adoption adultery adversity agency anchor angel angel gabriel angels anger anorexia answer to prayer anxiety ask & receive ask god authenticity author spotlight autism autism and church autism book autism mom autism visual schedule bad things happen battle strategies be kind be like a child be like jesus be still benefits of gratitude bible story bible tips bible verse bible women bible women & bathrobes bible women story bipolar bite size goals boaz books boredom buster activities build on christ build on the rock bulemia calling canning care caregiver cast out satan change charity child of god childhood anxiety childhood depression children children and social media children visual schedule children's books choose happiness christian author christian newsletter christian women christian women resources christlike attributes christmas christmas story chronic illness come unto jesus comfort in chaos commandments compassion confidence connect to god contention conversion coping with hardship counting blessings courage covenants covid creative children's activities crescent rolls crisis dark nights daughters of god death death of loved one decisions declutter depression determination discernment discipline distractions divine identity divine love divine worth don't compare don't give up dorcas doubts dreams easter eating disorder education electronics elizabeth and zacharias emotions empathy empowerment encouragement endorsed provider enemy epiphany eternal perspective evil example exercise exhaustion expectations faith faith in christ faith journey faith over fear family family fun family fun ideas family traditions fasting fear feeling broken find purpose finding joy finding peace fitness flexibility focus on christ following inspiration food tips forgiveness forsaken gardening gift of love gifts goal setting goals god fights our battles god first god is there god's help god's light god's love god's mercy god's spirit grace gratitude grief growth guidance habits hannah hard times healing health heavy burdens helmet of salvation helping teens holiday blues holidays holiness holy ghost holy spirit hope hope for future hope in adversity hope in christ hope in hard times humility hunger and thirst after righteousness i can do hard things improvement individuality infertility influence influence of mothers inspiration integrity internationalwomen'sday jesus christ jochebed joseph journaling journey of faith joy joy in jesus judgement keep the commandments keeping your word kindness king hezekiah latter-days leadership learn legacy lessons lessons from the teachings of jesus life challenges life detours life lessons life missions light light over darkness limbo listening loneliness loss love love enemies love god love others lust lydia marital problems marriage marriage tips mary mother of jesus mary's magnificat mary's psalm meaningful life meditation meek melatonin mental health mentor mercy miracles money mother's day motherhood motherhood in scripture mothering challenges mothering mishaps mothering stress mothers mourning mrs. noah music naomi nativity story nature near-death experience never alone new testament women new year new years resolutions newsletter noah's ark non-electronic ideas autism normal for me not alone nothing impossible with god nothing is impossible obedience old testament women opioid addiction opportunity optimism overcoming doubt overcoming fear overcoming struggles overwhelmed parable of sower paralysis parenting parenting preparation parenting special needs parenting teens patience peace peace and quiet peace in christ peace in nature perfectionism perseverance personal revelation personal story perspective physical challenges physical fitness physical health planting and harvesting podcast poor in spirit pornography positivity power in prayer power pose prayer prepare prioritize problem solving protect protect from adversary ptsd pure in heart purpose in pain put god first quarantine questions and answers radiate god's love recipe redemption relationships relaxation remembering renewal repentance resilience resurrection righteous mother rules run the race ruth sacred moments safety salt scripture study seek jesus seeking unity self-aware self-belief self-care self-love self-reflection self-talk self-worth sermon on the mount service serving shine brightly siblings to autism sisters in christ sleep challenges soft heart sorrow special needs special needs parenting spiritual armor spiritual journey stories stormy seas strength strength in christ strength training stress stress relief stress relievers stuck suffering suicide suicide prevention suicide support summer summer activities for kids sunday school sunshine support network surrender symbols of christmas tabitha take action talents teach children temptation testimony thankful thanksgiving the golden rule the lord's prayer thoughts time management tips tips for autism and church tips for hard times tips for hope transformation travel and autism travel tips for families treasures trials true faith trust god unanswered prayers uncertainty uniqueness voices of the nativity vulerable waiting walk with god walking war warriors of light we need each other wellness winter blues wisdom witness of christ woman with the issue of blood women in the bible women need women women of faith women of the ark women warriors worry worship yoked to christ yoked to god