5 Ways to Practice Spiritual Self Care

What is Spiritual Self Care?

Spiritual self care is necessary for our physical bodies, but it’s also important for our minds, hearts, and spirits. It is about taking care of yourself emotional, mentally, and spiritually. It includes creating and nurturing a deep sense of connection to something larger than yourself — a higher power or purpose. This helps you to feel grounded and calm, and offers a sense of peace.

For many people, connection to something larger than themselves might include God, the Universe, or another higher power. When we say the Universe—in this post and anywhere else on our website—you can replace it with your higher power or designation that resonates with you the most.

Some people will use rituals to connect to their higher power. Others may connect with nature, their own inner wisdom, or a creative force. There is no one size fits all answer.

The key is that spiritual self care provides stability as well support during tough times and helps us feel more centered and connected. For some, praying is the answer. For others, it can involve taking a mindful walk through a park or forest. The important this is to find something that feels authentic to you and that it is something you can stick with long-term.

It’s time for a change.

Here’s the thing. Taking time for spiritual self care is important for everyone. But, we often put our spiritual needs on the back burner until we have the time or energy to focus on it. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, drained, and out of balance.

If you think you don’t have time for it, that probably means you need it more than ever.

Start Your Spiritual Self Care Journey Today

Here are some simple things to take into consideration when starting your spiritual self care journey.

1. What are you seeking in your spiritual practice?

  • Do you want something that’s calming and relaxing? Or do you prefer something that’s more active and challenging? Once you know what you’re looking for, it’ll be easier to determine a self care practice that works best for you.

2. Is there a specific place where you feel most connected to your higher power?

  • For some, that connecting is made in church or temple each week. For others, it might mean taking time outside or spending time in silence each day.
  • Again, there are no right or wrong answers here. Trust your gut. Where do you feel most connected to your higher self.

3. What outcome do you desire?

  • In other words, what do you hope to achieve? How do you want to feel as a result of your spiritual self care?

Ways to Practice Spiritual Self Care

Spiritual self-care can be traced back to ancient times, with various cultures and religions incorporating some form of it into their practices. However, the term “spiritual self-care” didn’t come about until the late 20th century when mental health professionals started recognizing the importance of spirituality in overall well-being.

Spiritual self-care is about individuals taking an active role in their spiritual lives, whether that means engaging in religious or spiritual activities, connecting with a higher power, or simply spending time alone in nature.

Here are five ways to get started today

1. Meditation.

If you’ve ever had thoughts play through your mind over and over again, you may benefit from practicing meditation. When you meditate, the intention is to clear your mind and focus on the present. While it takes time to learn to clear your mind, it is definitely worth the practice. There are tremendous benefits associated with meditating, and while I don’t want to get off topic right now, it is certainly a way to practice spiritual self care.

2. Connection.

Creating connection with others is foundational to community. We are social beings. When we have meaningful connections with others, we find a greater purpose beyond ourselves—especially when we talk about connecting to a higher power. These connections are particularly purposeful when they are made through volunteering or giving back.

3. Yoga.

Did you know that yoga was originally created as a way to get closer to God? The manner in which yoga is practiced in the West (or the United States), is a little different than it was originally intended. While Westerners often practice yoga by attending a class with a large group of people and follow the poses from the instructor, this is different than its origination.

4. Nature.

I’ve heard people say that “Nature is their church.” This completely makes sense and is a great way to get connected to your higher power. When you really start to think about how Mother Nature has created such beauty is truly amazing.

5. Journaling.

Ok, this one might sound a little out there at first. But, when we journal, it is a way to connect with your higher self. In fact, I recently heard of how journaling can help us to tap into our subconscious. When we allow the words to flow from our minds to the paper, it helps us to process our thoughts, feelings, emotions.

Bring it to a Close

It is often easier to talk about spiritual self care than it is to actually practice it. However, by taking the time to answer a few questions, you can begin to create a practice that works for you.

  • What are some things you can do to care for your spiritual self?
  • How do you feel when you actually follow through with your practice?
  • Which of the different practices listed above catch your eye or resonate with you?
    • Try a few of them; it’s helpful to have different methods to adapt to what’s happening in your life.

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