Dear Unity Friends,

Recently the topic of "self-care" has been in the forefront of my mind.  For one reason, I am taking an online class through Unity Institute that encompasses a segment on self-care.   For another reason, several people whom I am coaching have immediate issues related to self-care.  Namely, they don't have any self-care.   When I begin talking about it, sometimes I get a blank stare as if they have never heard the term.   It means how you take care of you.

The four aspects to this human expression are physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.   All four aspects of self need to be fed and nurtured on a regular basis.  If this isn't done, guess what?  We get sick.  We become susceptible to disease.  This may exhibit in our bodies, or our emotions, or our mental functions.   It is simple and complicated at the same time.   Commitment to a simple self-care plan that addresses all these four aspects can prevent complicated malaise, confusion, and pain.

Elements of your self-care would address needs of all four aspects of your life.   For your body, maybe you need exercise, a walk, a better eating plan, nutritional support, or rest.  Rest is a biggie.   We tend to push and push, complaining of being tired and fatigued, but unwilling to carve out an extra hour for sleep or rest.  Restorative yoga is my favorite physical self-care.  It brings movement to my body while always creating a space for rest and relaxation.

For your emotional self, you need to have the opportunity to feel joyful and pleasant emotions, especially in a time of crisis or challenge.   Watching a funny movie or enjoying a favorite hobby such as gardening, crocheting, or even cooking can be just the ticket to bring relief in the midst of seemingly unbearable situations.   Talk therapy is a great relief valve.  Journaling with a pen and paper creates relaxation of emotions.   Typing your journal into a computer does not offer the same relief benefit.  The kinetic experience of writing out how you are feeling creates a healing balm for the overworked and neglected emotional being.

Your mind needs a break from the thought pattern of your regular activity.   If your work is stressful, give your mind a break and focus it on something totally different.   My husband reads western novels as his mental self-care.  Engaging in hobbies where you have to think, like chess or brain teaser games, can use a different part of your brain.

And food for your spiritual being is as close as your meditation cushion.  Perhaps listening to a CD or download of your favorite spiritually uplifting music, reading an inspiration book, or talking with someone you respect for spiritual direction nourishes your spiritual being.

All four aspects of ourselves need to be addressed in order for us to maintain balance and harmony in the inner and outer expressions of our being.  If we neglect one part, the other parts suffer.  If we give too much attention to this part, the other aspects will suffer.  Balance is the key word to an effective self-care plan.

Next week, we will talk about how to fit self-care into our already busy schedules.   It's not as hard as you might think.

Love and blessings,

Rev. Robin