What I Mean When I Say “Spiritual Self-Care”
Spiritual self-care isn’t about appearances or perfection. It’s about nurturing your soul. Even after a late night of work, the morning remains my foundation.
For me, it begins each morning with a few simple habits: prayer, scripture, gratitude, and a gentle routine that cares for my body as well as my spirit. These small practices help me begin the day calm and centered.
What My Mornings Look Like
I start my day with intention, beginning with prayer, just a few honest words to check in with my heart and center my thoughts. Some mornings are quiet and calm. Others are a little busy. But I show up anyway. I spend a little time in Scripture, usually a chapter in the morning and another at night, letting those words settle in and guide me.
Gratitude follows. I pause to notice something good, something simple, something real.
And before the day fully begins, I nourish my body. I start my mornings with a warm cup of bone broth, a shot of olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt, a spoonful of Coconut Cult for probiotics, and then breakfast. It’s usually avocado toast with egg, or yogurt with berries and granola. Making space to eat something nourishing and intentional feels like part of the ritual.
Not every morning is calm, but these simple practices root me and carry me forward..
Midday: Pause and Reset
By midday, I’ve usually finished Pilates and moved through the first half of my responsibilities. This is when I intentionally check in with myself before the rest of the day takes over.
Spiritual self-care at this time is simple:
Notice how your energy feels. Are you calm, tired, or energized? Just observe without judgment.
Take a few deep breaths and let your mind settle.
Set one small intention for the afternoon, something kind for yourself.
Afternoon: Care for Body and Mind
Your body is part of your spiritual life. Tending to it is a quiet way of tending to your inner world.
In the afternoon, I try to slow down and be present:
Eat slowly and notice your food—taste it, enjoy it, appreciate it.
Take a few moments of stillness to check in with how you feel.
Notice small moments of beauty—warm sunlight, a peaceful song, or an ordinary moment that feels like a gift.
These quiet acts of noticing bring me home to myself, even in a busy day.
Evening: Reflect and Release
Before bed, spiritual self-care becomes a way of gently closing the day.
Shower. Let the water carry the day’s worries away.
Reflect. Notice one moment of peace, gratitude, or accomplishment.
Journal. Write a few lines to process your thoughts and emotions.
Release. Let go of what you can’t carry forward.
Rest. Hand the day back to God.
Ending the day this way creates a rhythm of calm. It allows my heart and mind to rest, ready to begin again tomorrow.
Spiritual self-care, to me, isn’t complicated. It’s simply choosing small, intentional moments throughout the day that keep me connected to God, to myself, and to the life I’m living.