The term “self-care” is everywhere these days. We’re told to schedule self-care days, prioritize self-care, and treat it as a way to recharge and renew. But what does self-care really mean? This year has been challenging for me—sustaining an arm injury in January set me back on my wellness journey. I’ve been working to recover while practicing self-care, and I appreciate your patience as I heal.
But what exactly is self-care? Is it a spa day, a new boat, a manicure, a massage, tending to myself to make sure that I am getting everything that my body and mind need to thrive. There are aspects of self-care in there sure, but are we really achieving a type of self-care that is long-lasting and healing? The world will tell you that self-care is inwards and self-focused, but this type of thinking left me in a cycle of achieving relief but never reaching the deep healing and self-care I was searching for.
It wasn’t until I began healing through my faith in Jesus that I understood where true self-care and healing occur—in the soul. Biblical self-care emphasizes taking care of oneself to better serve God and His will rather than as a purely inward focused practice. Mind, body and soul self-care that leads to healing. The writings of the Bible recognize our bodies are part of His will and purpose for us. Once walking in faith occurs, we can begin to see our bodies and self-care as God does.
One’s body is intended to be a temple for the Holy Spirit to house and care for the gifts and talents that God gives each of His children. His will is that we should use these wonderous bodies to live a life that glorifies the hope and love which He gave though His Son Jesus. We need to be good stewards of these bodies He has made and entrusted to us. We should care for our bodies and minds responsibly and His good ways provide the instructions to do so.
Our Great Physician gave us a holistic approach to wellness that the whole world seems to be relearning. Caring for oneself should encompass mind, body and soul care. A relationship with God is caring for yourself, He loves you in a way this world never will. His ways are for our good and we can see and taste the results of that. It’s bigger than self-gratification and living your best life: it’s about connecting with the God who made you. Past mind and body, we need to extend self-care to our souls. Rest. Worship. Living in balance. It is a lifestyle of caring for yourself and others. When we take our eyes off ourselves for a bit and look to the self-care of our entire family unit we are walking in a deeper level of Biblical self-care.
Caring for and serving others in self-care may seem like a contradiction but it is in fact necessary to care for others in order for our souls to thrive and heal. We are tribal in nature, meant to care for more than just ourselves. We are meant to have relationships, experiences, share meals, solve problems together and to create and build together. We miss a part of what we were made for when we become self-focused, isolated and swept away in worldly definitions of things. Serving, witnessing, testifying, encouraging one another, bearing the burdens of our family unit is how we truly care for ourselves and reach that deeper level of healing and care for our soul that so many of us are looking for.
Jesus taught a self-care that encompasses the mental, physical, and spiritual. Practices like forgiveness, honesty, sacrifice, endurance, and discipline allow us to care for our souls and, in turn, better care for those God has placed in our lives. We can then build up His Kingdom, strengthen our communities, and foster homes rooted in truth and love. Self-care is a journey, not a race, but more of a destination that you can only achieve with God. Walk slowly through the valley of healing, letting the Good Shepherd guide you to the greener pastures He has prepared.
Through our own journey, we’ve learned that small changes yield significant results. To support Veteran families, we’ve curated a foundation for wellness with practical strategies and resources. Here’s a starting point for holistic self-care:
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Reading the Bible Daily: Ground your day in God’s Word for spiritual nourishment.
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Prayer: Connect with God to find peace and guidance.
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Gut Health: Support digestion with clean, whole foods.
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Inflammation in the Body: Address inflammation through diet and natural remedies.
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Brain Health: Prioritize mental clarity with rest and stress management.
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Food and Diet: Choose nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods.
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Exercise: Stay active to strengthen your body.
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Beauty and Household: Use non-toxic, sustainable products.
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Vitamin D and Getting Outside: Embrace sunlight and nature for overall wellness.
Starting can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Begin where you are—plan prayer and exercise schedules, involve the family in meal planning, and replace products with cleaner alternatives as they run out. We’ve partnered with incredible companies to create a Self-Care Wellness Box for Veteran families and supporters, featuring holistic products to nurture the whole family.
We’re deeply grateful to these companies for their generosity and commitment to wellness. Please, we encourage you to support these remarkable companies that prioritize sustainable, non-toxic solutions. As you replace products, choose these brands to bring holistic care into your home. Click on the links below to get connected….
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100% Pure: A matching set of French lavender nourishing body cream and shower gel to nourish and soothe skin without harmful chemicals.
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Branch Basics: A trial clean kit for safer cleaning without harsh ingredients.
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Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve: Travel-size goat milk oatmeal soap for gentle, natural skincare.
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Poofy Organics: Family-safe toothpaste for better dental care.
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KT Naturals: Handmade shampoo bars for eco-friendly hair care.
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Osmia: Lip Doctor lip balm to hydrate and moisturize.
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The Elderberry Company: Elderberry Immunity gummies for delicious, family-friendly wellness support.
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Spirit of Health: BioRay children’s remedies for trusted, holistic care, vital for family wellness.
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Body, Soul & Teas: Handmade squeaks and creaks salve free from harmful ingredients for natural skin care.
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Granny Smith Products: Healing Stick for cuts and wounds and natural deodorant and mini bug repellent sticks.
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Cloe n Company: Beautiful handmade teas, fragrant and wellness-focused, to promote wellness, rest and joy.
