Amelia finds the social self-care she needs
Amelia looked around her. This is what she’d been longing for, but hadn’t realized what it was she needed until she got here. She’d just stepped out of the volleyball game.
There were other activities. Kids having a great time in relay races. There was a soccer game;
And there were youngsters playing on the swings, slides and climbing structure; and adults and youth playing board games on the tables. And there was lots of food to munch on.
She was so grateful for Maria who’d invited her to come with her to this picnic activity. She looked around for Maria and saw her helping the kids in the relay races. Amelia went over there and was immediately recruited to help by Maria. Amelia loved it.
The social interaction she’d had since arriving had filled her with joy. She’d met and made new friends, talked with many people, and was now serving, as she instructed, cheered on, and helped the kids have a good time. She decided she was going to continue with this group of people.
Social self-care is being able to create and sustain healthy relationships with others. Social connections are crucial to feeling loved and cared for. They cut the scourge of loneliness, but only when you personally interact with loved ones and friends (Internet friends are a poor substitute.). They are also key to developing and improving your communication skills.
Social self-care activities include:
- Meet new people in your personal and casual activities
- Form new professional or business relationships
- Maintain contact with important people in your life
- Hang out with a friend with shared interests or hobbies
- Message a friend and tell them you are grateful for them
- Walk away from negative or toxic people when you can
- Create and use your support systems regularly
- Ask for help from friends, colleagues and experts
- Set healthy boundaries with all people
- Text friends and family at least once a month
- Engage with your online community once a week
- Write letters to a distant friend
- Attend social activities in your groups
- Spend time with loved family members in quality relationships.
- Joining support groups or clubs who share common interests or experiences.
- Volunteer to give back to the community and make a positive impact
- Practicing active listening to others, validate their feelings, and show empathy.
- Disconnect from social media and focus on real people.
- Schedule time to be with people without your cell phone.
- Express gratitude to the people in your life.
Using social self-care practices, you can strengthen your social connections, bring more joy and love into your life, and increase your sense of belonging and being fulfilled.
Spiritual Self-Care
Benji Finds Spiritual Truth
Benji paused at the door. Did he really want to go into this church building? He’d been looking for a church community for some time. But none of them had helped him feel the spiritual fulfillment he was looking for. Would he just be disappointed one more time? He wasn’t sure he could endure another disappointment at this particular time.
He wasn’t sure when they had their meetings, but there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, so he knew they must be in meetings right now. He slipped into a quiet entry area. He stood for a moment wondering where to go.
A lady asked him, “Can I help you?”
“Yes,” Benji answered. “I’m Benji Simon. I’m looking for a church that teaches Christ’s gospel in the New Testament. And I came here to find out if you do that.”
“Hi, Benji. We do,” she answered. “I’m Connie Mackay. Come with me. We’re having our Sunday School classes right now.” She led him into a room with lots of other adults. They were having a lively discussion. They took two seats next to her husband. They quietly oriented Benji so he understood where they were in studying the New Testament gospels.
Listening, Benji realized these people knew their scriptures and had a solid understanding of Christ’s gospel that was greater than his understanding. He felt the Spirit tell him he was hearing the truth for the first time in his life. He was thrilled.
Spiritual self-care works best when your foundation is based on your faith that you’re a child of Heavenly Parents. God is your Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ is your savior and redeemer. And Christ’s atonement makes it possible for you to return and live with them after fulfilling your mission on this earth. With that understanding, you can find hope and peace in challenging situations.
Spiritual self-care nourishes the soul. It helps you tap into the intuition you receive through the light of Christ to find deeper purpose and more meaning in your life. It helps you silence outside noise and find internal calm and inspiration so you can hear the messages from God.
Spiritual self-care activities include:
- Meditating or breathwork to calm the mind and receive inspiration
- Praying daily to God in the name of Christ
- Praying for answers and inspiration
- Reading the scriptures to be enlightened
- Loving God and Jesus Christ
- Loving your whole soul
- Loving your fellow man
- Serving your fellow man with acts of kindness
- Spending time in nature occasionally to get inspiration
- Going to a place of worship weekly, to worship God and Christ
- Learning the gospel of Jesus Christ with other believers
- Mapping out your core values in harmony with Christlike characteristics
- Finding and fulfilling your mission in this life
- Dedicating time to self-reflection to see your progress
- Manifesting your spiritual goals
Your spiritual self-care continues every day. When you focus on Christ and learn of him, you have the spiritual resilience to work through the challenges of this life and come out the winner that you are meant to be as God’s son or daughter.