“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is important for our spiritual, emotional and physical well being. Scriptures remind us that God cares about our hearts and our minds. Jesus modeled the importance of caring for spirit, body and mind. In the midst of busy ministry, Jesus took the time to make sure that He took time to rest, take time away and care for spirit, body and mind. Jesus also modeled this for the disciples. “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31. Jesus understood the importance of caring for spirit, body and mind.
It’s important for us to be kind to mind, body, spirit and soul.
Here are my mental health ABC reminders to keep us whole.
A – Acknowledge your feelings without judging yourself
B – Breathe deeply and practice mindfulness
C – Connect with loved ones for support and to share
D – Dedicate time for intentional devotion and prayer
E – Exercise regularly to reduce stress and boost moods
F – Fuel your body with a variety of nutritious foods
G – Get enough sleep to rejuvenate your mind often
H – Hobbies are therapeutic; indulge in them
I – Invest in counseling and the gift of therapy — Proverbs 15:22
J – Journal your thoughts and feelings to gain clarity
K – Keep a gratitude journal to share your views
L – Limit exposure to social media and negative news
M – Meditate to calm your mind, spirit and reduce anxiety
N – Nurture through through art, music, writing and creativity
O – Opt for a digital detox regularly to recharge you
P – Practice positive affirmations to encourage you
Q – Quiet your mind through relaxation for self
R – Rest when you need it; don’t overwork yourself — Matthew 11:28
S – Set boundaries to protect your mental health
T – Take breaks when overwhelmed … be kind to yourself
U – Unplug from technology and spend time in nature around you
V – Validate your emotions; they are worthy of attention too
W – Write down your worries and then let them go
X – eXplore new hobbies, activities and ways to grow
Y – Yearn for personal growth and self-improvement for all your days
Z – Zero in on self-compassion; be kind to yourself, always
Handle With Kindness,
Sheila P. Spencer
