Self-care is important for everyone. It is a means to living a healthy lifestyle that allows us to experience life to the fullest, in the way God intended us to.
As someone who struggles with a mood disorder, my self-care becomes all the more important. Below are the top five areas I assess when I start to feel anxious, depressed, or not quite myself.
- My sleep. This is one of the top two areas I look at first. Sleep is of the utmost important to me. Am I getting quality sleep or am I waking up on and off? Not enough quality sleep each night wreaks havoc on my life. I can eat all the right foods and get a good amount of exercise, but without a straight 7–8 hours of quality sleep, none of that matters.
I also ask myself what my sleep schedule is like. Am I going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time each morning? My bedtime usually falls around 9:00 p.m., but sometimes a late night is unavoidable. When that happens, I prepare myself that the next day I will not be feeling completely myself. And I make sure the next night to get to bed on schedule. Too many days out of my normal schedule can lead to a pretty quick downward spiral.
Here’s an article on the importance of sleep and another on tips for setting up a regular sleep schedule.
- My prayer time. This is the second of the top two areas I assess. The closer I grow to God, the more important my silent prayer time becomes each day. And I find it’s best for that time to occur first thing in the morning, although I always try to squeeze in more throughout the day when time allows.
Silent prayer is time I’m intentionally giving completely to God. So even if my mind goes off here and there, thinking of this and that, God knows I’m trying my best to give this time to Him. And He always blesses me with greater peace and trust in Him throughout the day.
On the days my mind is quiet and I can find Him in the stillness, by the grace of God, the mercy He bestows on my soul fills me with such strength that I know I can overcome anything that comes my way.
I’ve noticed that even if I am maintaining other forms of self-care, there’s a disquiet in my heart that remains until I spent some time in silence with God that day.
- My diet. Diet is so important for me. Particularly, a low- to non-inflammatory diet. The kind of diet full of foods created by God that comes from the earth. You know, unprocessed, whole, raw foods and lean meats that are full of nutrients and vitamins, just as God intended.
Look, I know it’s hard to eat this way all the time. I struggle every day! It’s just that when I don’t mostly eat this way, I feel it. Inflammation gets into my body and creates a feeling of sluggishness and moods that are unnerving. So when I start to not feel my best, I look at what I’ve been eating and drinking.
If you’re curious what started my journey into eating a healthy diet that’s good for my body and moods, I started with the Whole30 diet and adjusted it from there.
- My exercise routine. Exercise gets oxygen to the brain and helps clear out toxins in the body among many other healthy effects. And I always know when I need to exercise the most — when it’s the last thing I want to do! And, that’s usually a sign I haven’t done it in a while.
I love the StairMaster because I can read while using it. I also love Pilates, especially doing a SoulCore workout, which allows me to pray the rosary while stretching and getting in a Pilates workout. I can always tell a difference after I’ve got a good workout in, and I’m always thankful to God He gave me the motivation to get through it.
- My alcohol consumption. Now, while I love a good glass of wine (I am Catholic, Czech, and German, after all!), I’ve found it’s not the best way to relax (in the long-term). Sure, in the moment it feels good, but if I haven’t been feeling good already, I know I’ll regret that glass of wine for the next couple of days.
Alcohol really falls under “my diet” on my self-care list, but because it can have such a drastic effect if I’m not careful, I make a point to think about it separately. In general, if I’m feeling like myself, I try to limit myself to one glass a week. If I’m not, I offer my desire for a glass of wine up for those who struggle with alcoholism. Then, it seems like a small sacrifice to make.
(NOTE: After I’ve made a review of my self-care checklist and I’ve checked off all of the above with no problem but I still don’t feel good, I know there might be something more going on, and I put in a call to my doctor. I’m blessed to be able to have a great doctor and am responsive to medication that I’m prescribed. God is good.)
So that’s it. These are the top five areas I review when I’m not feeling my best. There are other things I look at as well, such as when late fall and winter set in. In general, however, I know if I’ve got the top five above covered, I’m usually in pretty good shape.
What are your top areas of self-care? Feel free to share in the comments below to help and support others.
May you rest in the Heart of Jesus now and always!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or licensed therapist. I am speaking from my perspective and human experience and as someone that has struggled with anxiety and depression since childhood.
God is good and has given us the gift of medical and therapeutic treatment options when basic self-care isn’t enough to help us overcome our struggles with anxiety and depression. Don’t hesitate to reach out for this support when you need it. It’s a gift from God that will to help you to recover so you can live your life to the fullest — which is God’s desire for you!