Vision Logo Circle
Vision Logo Circle

Self-care is not Selfish

by | Mon, Sep 20 2021

Text size: A- A+
Self care
Image supplied by Shutterstock.

Rise and Shine favourites Brett and Kate Ryan joined us this week to discuss the importance of self-care, and how our mental health is related to our overall well-being.  

Caring for ourselves is critical. We can’t give out of an empty well. If we’ve got no reserves, how can we be there for others? Self-care is something that cannot be over-emphasized enough. If we want to support others effectively, we simply must learn to care for ourselves too. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated! 

Self-care is making sensible choices in the short term that will sustain you in the long term. It includes things like having some time to yourself, ensuring that you’re sleeping well, eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. Those things alone can turn your whole world around.  

Kate says that we have to be very careful about what we are meditating on, and that sleep can be elusive when we are facing big stresses in our lives. “Are we ruminating the negative things that are going on in the news? Are we continually replaying the negative things that are going on in our world or are we meditating on God’s truth? There are so many wonderful things you can listen to on apps before you go to sleep that just talk about God’s Word and breathing. Breathing can calm us right down.  It’s just the most beautiful calming thing, and that can lead us into a really good place of sleep.” 

Brett agrees that sometimes we need a little bit of a direction to get us back on track. “But it’s easier said than done with the sleep”, he says. “We might need to put some patterns of behavior or routines in place. Things like lowering your technology use and lowering your caffeine and alcohol intake just prior to going to sleep can help. Maybe sometimes we also need to speak to a professional, whether it’s a GP or a counsellor, to help break an unhealthy cycle.” 

Brett and Kate both say that exercise is an important part of any self-care routine. Not only does it promote happier hormones, but it also burns a bit of energy too. We all know that if we sit on the couch for hours on end, every part of our body aches, and then when we go and lie down in bed and we’re wide awake. Getting out in nature or going for a walk is good for the soul. 

Kate says 

it’s important that we don’t think of self-care is selfish.

“A lot of people say my job is to serve and to give. But you can’t give if you’ve got nothing left. You’re worse than useless really, when you’re trying to give out of reserves you don’t have.  We need to get strong with God and have that vertical relationship going so we can give out horizontally.” 

Brett continues that it’s so important to realize that

we can’t do it alone. We have to put our hand up to say that we’re not okay.

“Find a faith community, someone that you can trust, someone that you can just share with. They might not be able to solve the problem, but they’re actually coming alongside you. And those of us who may be doing okay need to look out for people who are doing it tough. If we can give them a little bit of release, then they’ll be able to cope with all the circumstances they’re dealing with.” 

To check out more of Brett and Kate’s resources on self-care, and care for families, click here. To listen to the rest of their chat with Robbo and Becci, click below.

Listen to the full interview below.

Tune into Rise & Shine weekdays on Vision Christian Radio. Click here for your local times.

More from Rise & Shine

The Passion of the Christ: Ken Duncan’s Friendship with Mel Gibson

The Passion of the Christ is one of the most impactful films ever made about Jesus.

For King + Country – Australia and NZ Homecoming Tour 2024

For King + Country brother duo, Luke and Joel Smallbone are touring Down Under! They’ll be performing songs from their album, What Are We Waiting For? and sharing sneak peek footage from their film, Unsung Hero.

Irresistible Church Tour with Carey Nieuwhof

As part of his Irresistible Church Tour, Cary Nieuwhof is excited to unite leaders from all across Australia and New Zealand.

What to Do When the World is Sick with Hurry

Sheridan Voysey recently joined us on Rise & Shine to talk about the importance of reflection in a world sick with hurry.