Self-care and self-love go hand in hand, but they are often confused. Self-care is the action, while self-love is the mindset behind those actions. Self-love is the standard by which you see and value yourself, and self-care is the practice of maintaining and growing into that love. When you engage in self-care, you are being proactive about nurturing your well-being and honoring your worth.

It is important to intentionally do things that help you care for and appreciate yourself. For me, some practices I enjoy include Pilates, walks on the beach, and singing. Many people assume self-care has to involve grand gestures like going to the spa or scheduling a massage. While those things can be enjoyable, self-care does not always have to be extravagant, especially because big gestures might not hold value for you.

“There are small ways you can practice self-care throughout the day,” Perjessy said, like noticing your breathing and practicing mindful awareness, which can assist with emotional regulation and highlight how you’re engaging with the world. “Given this information, we can make intentional decisions about ways to use our attention and energy.” (Southern New Hampshire University, n.d.)

Self-care begins with defining what brings you peace and fulfillment. This requires spending intentional time with yourself so you can become more aware of your desires and the activities that spark happiness. The goal is to recognize those moments of joy and intentionally create more opportunities for them in your life. If you notice that you enjoy reading to your grandkids or listening to the sound of the beach waves, be proactive and make these things a part of your weekly routine.

Self-love, however, is deeply rooted in your mindset. Developing self-love often involves shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and focusing on progress rather than perfection. Perfection can stunt growth because it creates a paralyzing fear of falling short. When perfection becomes the standard, it is nearly impossible to meet, which can prevent you from taking action. Instead, focus on taking life one day at a time and aim to become just one percent better each day.

“Self-care can improve your relationship with yourself and others, according to Perjessy. “As we cultivate our self-care practices with ourselves, we become more grounded and purposeful in our activities and behaviors, honoring our finite resources, energy and priorities.” (Southern New Hampshire University, n.d.)

How Was Self-Care Modeled in the Bible?

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5 :16 (NIV)

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

God, who created the heavens and the earth, was intentional about setting aside time to rest. He modeled a healthy rhythm of rest for us. It was an opportunity to pause after His work was complete. This is the greatest example of self-care through intentional rest. Jesus then came to earth, and he followed the same model as our Father in Heaven, giving Himself time to rest and experience peace away from the busyness of daily life. Take time today to reflect on where in your life you can begin to follow this model of self-care displayed by God.

Self-Care Day Challenge

Write a letter to yourself explaining in detail what the perfect self-care day would look like. Divide this day into small sections, write the sections down on small pieces of paper, and place them into a jar. Pull one from the jar whenever you feel low and fill your day with some self-care!

References

Southern New Hampshire University. (n.d.). What is self-care? Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care

Zondervan. (2011). Holy Bible: New International Version.

Written by Gabriela Sevrin