For those living with a mental health condition, self – care is particularly essential to help keep ourselves in the best of health, and hopefully to make our condition more manageable. What this looks like for each individual can differ from person to person based on varying factors such as genetics, mental health, location, and state of physiological health.
EAT HEALTHY & EXERCISE REGULARLY
A nutritious and balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is vital for maintaining flexibility and good circulation. For adults, our daily water intake needs to be around the 2 litre mark to help us stay hydrated.
THE BIBLE
We know that the word of God is living and active, and it is sharper than a two edged sword. We can trust God’s word to come back to us accomplishing everything we set it forth to do. Isaiah 55:11. Daily reading of the words of Jesus is feeding our spirit on God’s truth. It is our sword of the spirit to help us fight the good fight.
PRAYER & FAITH
Prayer is our direct access to the throne room of God. We can call on God the Father who hears and answers our prayers and performs miracles. Also praying for one another is caring. Matthew 7:7 “Ask an dit will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock an the door will be opened to you.”
REST
When God created the world he did it In six days. On the seventh day he rested. Genesis 2:2 Everything that he made was good. We too need our rest for good outcomes in life, rest for our physical bodies is a necessity. Our bodies need to recuperate and repair during our sleep. Without sleep there is only fatigue, daytime clumsiness and sleepiness. Sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on the brain and on cognitive function.
DILIGENCE
We need to be proactive in our own wellbeing by getting the right amount of exercise, feeding or bodies with healthy foods and by guarding our hearts and minds.
Proverbs 13:4 “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
CONNECTION – TELL OTHERS
We are created to socially interact with one another. Connectedness breeds a sense of community and it also means that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Having the support of family and friends and being part of a church group does good for our mental health. We need to foster good relationships with one another, with God and with ourselves. Pray for others.
When we need to talk there’s there are options like; talking to pastoral care, seeing a doctor, tell a friend or we can talk to a counsellor. There are all sorts of resources available to us within our own communities, provided that we don’t live in a remote area. That’s when the internet or telephone can help. We can phone help lines available 24/7 such as Life Line on: 13 11 14
WORRY LESS – TRUST GOD & BE THANKFUL
We need be sure of our faith and in this assurance and hope for salvation we can rest. In Psalm 46:10 “ Be still and know that I am God” means that we can pray about it, quieten our minds and just have faith, we will undoubtedly know that God is who He says He is. He has this! We can choose to live in uncertainty or to live in Faith. When going through difficult times talking to someone can make all the difference to change the way we feel. Even when things look bad, there’s always something to be grateful for.
STAY SOBER
Addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse and drug taking of any sort counts as not being sober. The worst decisions are made when we aren’t in our right state of mind. Drink driving for instance, is not just an offence but it’s dangerous taking lives on our roads every year. The law exists to protect us all. The same goes for what we read in the bible about being of sober minds. While it might seem like fun, there are consequences to our actions. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Sandra Ciminelli
Cred.Dip. Couns. (Christian)
Sources: The Bible Hub
Search for a Christian Counsellor here: Christians Counsellors Association of Australia.
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.