According to scientific research, gratitude is one of the best ways to boost your mental health and physical well-being.
This is what Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude wrote, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts, and benefits we’ve received.”
This article discusses studies that seem to suggest that gratitude is good for your health.
Tip #4 on How To Teach A Child About Gratitude = Say Thank You
Gratitude enhances and builds relationships.
Even the youngest of children can learn to say, “Thank you.”
With their chubby little hands, they can form the sign language words that express gratitude.
These two words, “thank you,” are the first words parents often teach their kids.
Energetic and zealous, parents demand that their children give thanks for any gift received or service offered.
Often, children end up expressing gratitude by rote.
Other times, their words are insincere.
Gratitude does not produce all the scientific benefits unless it is heartfelt.
How can we make sure that our children are not saying these words by rote?
How can we ensure their words are meaningful and genuine?
The author of the book, Nonviolent Communication, shares tips about expressing effective gratitude towards others.
In his article, he shares three steps to effective gratitude:
1. Observations.
Teach your children to make observations about what their friend or relative did for them. Like,
A. Mom tied my shoes.
B. Grandma bought me a present.
C. Dad brought me a hamburger after work.
Even if your child didn’t like the gift itself, she can express gratefulness for the motive behind it. “Thank you, Grandma, for taking the time to go shopping and buying me a gift.”
Teach your child to express gratitude in full sentences.
2. Feelings – Teach your kids to describe their feelings about their friend or relative’s kind action or gift.
A. “Mom, when you tied my shoes, I felt relieved…”
B. “Grandma, when you bought me a present, I felt loved…”
C. “Dad, when you brought me a hamburger, I felt happy…”
3. Need – Finally, help your kids express the need that that their friend or relative met.
A. “Mom, when you tied my shoes, I felt relieved because I wanted to go outside and play.”
B. “Grandma, when you bought me a present, I felt loved because I knew you were thinking about me.”
C. “Dad, when you brought me a hamburger, I felt happy because I was hungry and you remember my favorite types of burgers.”
In summary, an effective gratitude statement includes the action that was performed, the feeling that was produced, and the need that was met.
This formula helps avoid rote gratitude.
It also helps you avoid saying “thank you” as a way to manipulate someone.
Think how good you would feel if someone used this formula on you!
“When you stopped by to ask if I needed something (Observation), I felt happy (Feeling) because I had been very lonely and anxious today. (Need)”
Tip #5 on How To Teach A Child About Gratitude = Thank You Notes
Writing thank you note may seem like an ancient, outdated practice.
In reality, it is a wonderful habit to teach t today’s generation of kids.
If you are quarantined or shut inside during winter, now is an excellent time to start developing this skill in children.
Children can rediscover the joy of letter-writing.
Ask your children to name one person who has influenced and encouraged them.
Maybe it’s someone whom they have missed during the pandemic.
Have them write a letter expressing gratitude to this teacher, friend, or classmate.
Now is the time to teach children about envelopes, stamps, and postage.
Kids can learn how to address an envelope and write a return address.
They can practice their skills of letter heading, greeting, body of the letter, and closing.
Are you willing to send a thank-you note to someone you’ve never met?
Then you are willing to take your gratitude journey to the next level!
Why not share the gratitude with someone who’s discouraged?
The organization “More Love Letters” devotes itself to inspiring people to write handwritten letters to people who are going through tough times.
Go on the website and help your children select a discouraged individual to write to.
Looking back in your gratitude journal, you’ll be able to see how God has provided for you in a very difficult time.
Then share the good news with someone else!
The “More Love Letters” website always shares about the kind and sacrificial acts that the discouraged individual has performed.
He or she is having a tough time remembering his own goodness right now.
Express gratitude to that person for the kindness, sacrifice, and hope they have shared with others.
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one
Count your blessings. See what God has done
Count your blessings. Name them one by one
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”
[‘And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.’] – Johnson Oatman Jr.
There are lots of things that we should be grateful, and thankful for regardless of our situation in life.
As children of God, we believe that God is at the center of everything.
By now you must have realized that I’m not talking about the traditional pilgrim’s thanksgiving celebration with the juicy turkey, art, crafts, and games. Right?
Children can still enjoy the inflatable turkeys and harvest blessings. But, there’s more!
It is more important however to instill in your child a heart that is very thankful and shows gratitude.
You can start to teach your kids about gratitude with this.
We must prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit through the word of God and our example, to instill a practical attitude of gratefulness in the hearts of our kids.
Teach them to be thankful for who they are and for what they have because there will always be that someone else more successful, more beautiful, more talented, and more influential.
With “grateful together,” parents and children can connect more closely with both big and little things.
Most people, including children of God, often fail to acknowledge their blessings and give thanks.
Sometimes we feel entitled.
Reflecting on thanksgiving Psalms and prayers can rekindle a spirit of thanksgiving and thankfullness in any season.
Thanksgiving Psalms and prayers will open our eyes to God’s numerous blessings, big and small.
These Psalms and practical prayer tips will help you voice your thanksgiving in the everyday moments of parenting your children.
Robert Brault said, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Place for writing thoughts.
What is Biblical Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving means “the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.
An expression of thanks, especially to God.
A public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness. A day set apart for giving thanks to God.” (Dictionary.com)
Clickhere for this month’s uplifting biblical affirmations for courageous faith.
Why Should We Be Thankful?
It’s often difficult to be thankful during long days and hard nights.
But scientists have proven that gratefulness can be good for your mental health and well-being.
It is a success booster!
Being thankful and appreciative of tangible and intangible things we have received helps us to be happy and to build strong relationships with both God and man.
These 12 powerful thanksgiving Psalms and prayers will help you on your gratitude journey.
In any situation we find ourselves in, we should TRY to be thankful because it could be worse.
Can We Be Grateful In The Face Of Adversity?
Yes, we can!
Philippians 4:12-13 says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Let’s dive in and find some Psalms with accompanying Prayer that will help us find reasons for gratitude even in the middle of adversity.
You can find power in your prayer like never before with this inspiring guide.
1.Thank Him that He Intimately Knows You And Your Children.
God created you and He created your kids.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Prayer:
With a grateful heart, we say thank you, Lord, that you know all about every detail of our lives.
Thank you, Lord, that you love me and my family unconditionally. You even know the words I am about to say.
Even when my thoughts make no sense to me, you understand my thoughts.
In the middle of the darkness of midnight, you see me waking to care for my little ones.
You oh Lord personally formed each and every one of my children. I praise you for your intimate knowledge and love for us.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
2. Thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers: Thank Him For His undying Love
Psalm 136:1-4
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. “
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that your love endures forever. Thank you that your commitment and covenant loyalty never leave us.
When we are exhausted and feel like a failure, your love endures forever.
No matter what happens to us and no matter what this day holds, your love endures forever.
You do great wonders, and you are good to us. Thank you for your everlasting love.
Psalm 34: 1-4
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul boasts in the LORD;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice.
Magnify the LORD with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes fear swirls around me like a dark cloud.
When I pray to you, you enter my situation and remind me of your presence.
Thank you that you can deliver us from all our fears. I pray that you calm my tired heart.
Give me peace in every uncertainty of life. Take away our fear and guide our steps. Thank you that you rescue us from fear.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
4. Thank You for Godly people You Send My Way
Psalm 111:1 Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with His godly people.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all the godly people you have placed around me and my children. Thank you for godly family members and friends.
Help me thank you with all my heart as I fellowship with other believers.
Right now, I lift an extra prayer of thanksgiving for all the people that intercede prayerfully for me and my family.
I praise you for the ability to pray, praise, learn, and worship together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
5. Thank You Lord For Being Our Shepherd
Psalm 95:6-7
O come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God,
and we are the people of His pasture,
the sheep under His care.
Prayer:
Lord, we kneel before you in humble gratitude.
Thank you for taking care of us like a shepherd takes care of their sheep.
What could be a more beautiful picture of tender, attentive care? You know each of your sheep individually. You think about their needs.
Lord, You even notice when just one is missing or have strayed. You oh Lord search for the lost.
We praise you and thank you for being our Shepherd and for taking care of us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
6. Thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers: Praise the Lord In The Morning!
Psalm 92:1-3
It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning
and Your faithfulness at night with the ten-stringed harp
and the melody of the lyre.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the miracle of waking up each morning.
Lord, help me to make my first thought about you. When I wake up in the morning, help me not to allow fear to come rushing in.
Help me to direct my thoughts to your love, grace, and mercy.
May I remember your provision for me and give praise to you!
In gratefulness, help me to gain a peaceful and joyful outlook for the rest of the day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
7. Thank The Lord For Forgiveness!
Psalm 103:1, 3-4
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
all that is within me, bless His holy name.
He who forgives all your iniquities
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for being so merciful and kind.
Lord, we acknowledge our many sins and failures. Thank you so very much that you forgive us for our sins. You heal us from the consequences of our actions.
Thank you, Lord, for providing us with total restoration in your New Creation.
Help us to love and worship you and live with a heart of gratitude today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
8. Praise The Lord For His Many Blessings
Psalm 103:2, 5 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all His kind deeds—
who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all your blessings.
Thank you for the little things, like a baby’s smile or a toddler’s laugh. Thanks for little hands clasped in mine.
We praise you for the sleeping faces of little ones. Thanks for the nights we get some sleep, and for satisfying us with good things, even if it’s hard.
Thank you for renewing our health and our hearts. We praise you for all the blessings of love that you give us every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
9. Praise The Lord For His Strength In Times Of Difficulty
Psalm 69:29-30
But I am in pain and distress;
let Your salvation protect me, O God.
I will praise God’s name in song
and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for being with me when I go through times of difficulty.
You know that there are times when the pain overwhelms me. Physical pain and sickness discourage me. Emotional pain brings me down.
Sometimes, I am so low I don’t even know what to pray for. So, I thank you for your salvation in times of pain.
Thank you that the psalmist got through to the other side. We praise you for his songs of praise to You!
Thank you Lord that no weapon formed against me and my family will ever prosper.
I praise you that great joy is ahead for me, as well. I can get through any difficulty! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
10. Thank Him Because Joy is Coming!
Psalm 30:4-5
Sing to the LORD, O you His saints,
and praise His holy name.
For His anger is fleeting,
but His favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you that weeping doesn’t last forever. I praise you that you promise that joy comes in the morning.
When everything looks bleak, help me trust in your promises. By your grace and mercy, tomorrow morning, the joy will come. I know it will come in the eternal dawn of heaven.
Weeping is not permanent! I praise you for this hopeful promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
11. Praise the Lord for Hearing Your Cry
Psalm 28:6-7
Blessed be the LORD,
for He has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore, my heart rejoices,
and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Prayer:
Lord, I praise you that you are never distracted. You are not preoccupied with your phone or watching the news!
You attentively listen to my every cry. Thank you that you hear me, even right now. Thank you because my season of Joy is here. You make all things beautiful.
Thank you that I can sing to you because you are my shield. You protect me from fear and distress. I praise you for listening to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
12. Praise God for His Salvation
Psalm 95:1-2
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.”
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you are our Savior. You died on the cross and rose again to make a way for us to be saved.
As we trust in you, we are saved from the punishment of our sins. We are also saved for victory and peace! You save us from fear and give us freedom!
Thank you that one day, you will save us from every bit of pain and suffering in this world. We give you thanks! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
As you pray these thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers to God, I pray your life will be enriched.
I pray you find new joy with your little ones. I trust that your heart will be lifted and connected to the heart of your Savior.
Praise His name!
May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving season and always.
With all that goes on in today’s frenetic modern world, all the responsibilities and challenges related to parenting and other pressures,
We have to take time to reflect and take better care of ourselves.
“To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.” – Michelle Obama
Many times, we get bombarded with our work duties, other obligations, and community activities also.
We should not wait until we have reached a breaking point to purposefully begin to take better care of ourselves.
“Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health – take time for self, for the spiritual without feeling guilty or selfish. The world will see you the way you, see you, and treat you the way you treat yourself.” – Beyonce.
If you don’t catch yourself in time, frustration, anger, anxiety, and even depression can creep in and reap you of all your joy and happiness.
There are so many self-care activities available to improve our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
They include spiritual activities like praying, mental activities like practicing mindfulness, and physical activities like healthy eating, and frequent exercising.
These 17 ways to take better care of yourself can help you know how to let go and BREATHE.
What is Self-Care?
Self care is about extending the same kindness, love and grace you willingly and sacrificially show to others to yourself without feeling guilty about it.
Check this scenario out;
It’s 11:00 pm. You silently close your child’s bedroom door, grateful he finally lost the battle against sleep.
As your eyes dart from one stack of dirty dishes to another stack of unfinished projects, you feel bone-tired.
Your mind is a thick molasses. Waves of weariness wash over your heart.
You don’t even know where to start processing today’s argument with your children or spouse, the social media argument about complicated world events, and your argument with yourself about what tasks are most important.
Tears slip out of your eyes as waves of guilt and failure wash over you.
If you have struggled to know how to take care of yourself as a mom, you are not alone.
During the COVID – 19 era, when churches, therapist offices, and support networks are closed, you could have tried to figure out how to take care of yourself emotionally.
Trying to care for yourself should be a natural and God-given instinct.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:29-30 said, “Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. For we are members of His body.”
God understands that humans naturally nourish, treasure, care for, and feed their bodies. He knows we automatically comfort, warm, and tenderly watch over our bodies.
But with children, marriage obligations, and work clamoring for our attention, we need more than our natural tendency to care for ourselves.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” – Jack Kornfield
It’s not us. Sometimes we are always on the go, being a “superwoman.”
As humans, we are created with limits. Immense relief comes from humbly recognizing that you are not God.
Experiencing God will help you get a better understanding of His sovereignty as He reveals Himself to you.
Hannah Anderson, in her book, Humble Roots, says that we are often tempted to a “pride that desires to live beyond natural human limitations… We buy the lie that we could be omnipotent, always virile, never tiring, never needing rest. We buy the lie that we could be omnipresent, always available, never distant, never missing out.”
Often, we think we can be perfect fun moms, involved in every activity, and providing our children and families with every opportunity.
We act like super moms, sometimes inflicting the notion that nothing will get done if we don’t do it.
And when we do, we become exhausted and drained.
Remembering our limitations—and humbly accepting them as an expression of our faith and dependence on God—is an important step towards wholesome self-care.
We don’t take care of ourselves because we’re selfish, proud, or egotistical. We take care of ourselves because we humbly admit that we’re not all-powerful—we’re not God.
With this in mind, I hope you can examine yourself and your environment and decide to start to take better care of yourself!
In Genesis 1:28, God called humans to steward the earth and all of creation.
Have you ever thought about your body as being a part of all creation?
Hannah Anderson points out, “You may have never thought of steadying your body as part of the call to steward the earth, but it’s not that much of a stretch. We are, after all, made from the earth, a mixture of minerals and elements that have only been made alive by the quickening Spirit of God.”
Along with your responsibility to take care of your children, your job, your ministry, you have a responsibility to take care of your body.
God desires for us to be healthy and strong and to take care of our bodies, mind, and spirit. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.” – 2 Corinthians 6:19.
Fuel your body with healthy eating habits and supplements that are vital in sustaining your immune system and general well being.
Eat healthy home-cooked meals instead of ‘fast’ food.
Don’t unnecessarily tax your body. Give it the rest, nutritious food, and exercise it needs.
Don’t forget to drink significant amounts of water to stay hydrated. Water is very good for the skin, it helps digestion and boosts your immune system.
#3. Find Joy In Simple Things
God has created many beautiful experiences for us to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17 says that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
In his book, Pure Pleasure, Gary Thomas encourages believers to find pleasure in food, family, fellowship, and more.
He says that when we search for legitimate, healthy sources of pleasure, we will be less likely to fall into temptation and illicit pleasures.
Even when we go through very difficult times, we should look for the simple joys that are all around us: the sun on our faces, the smile of a child, or the gentle song of a flowing stream.
Looking for joy in simple pleasures is an important way to take better care of yourself.
You can look at old pictures, listen to your favorite songs, volunteer your time at a charity you like, get a massage, indulge in a bubble bath, join a women’s weekly prayer group or enjoy the benefits of your favorite essential oils and candles.
Work/life boundaries have never been more important than they are today.
In a cultural shift away from remote jobs and towards in-home jobs, work has more potential than ever to invade every minute of our personal lives.
If you work at home, seek to develop a predictable schedule about when you will work and when you will relax.
Communicate to others when you are working and when you are “off.” When you’re relaxing, take it seriously.
Don’t even open your computer or your work email. Keeping your work from invading every minute of your day is critical in self-care.
#5. Process Your Pain
Unresolved pain, grief, or shame tend to sneak out in ways that are devastating to your body, soul, and health.
You may lash out at others or distract yourself with work to try to avoid difficult memories or thoughts.
Learning how to take care of yourself emotionally is critical for self-care.
Address even the seemingly small things that might seem insignificant like losing a twin sibling before birth, infertility, having a miscarriage, having a best friend move away, or betray you.
Acknowledge your grief. Talk to supportive friends and spiritual leaders. It’s been said that a problem shared is a problem halved.
Often communication with people gives you exactly what you need to hear for you to continue your journey in taking better care of yourself in the most positive way.
Read books on healing. Go to a therapist. Addressing your emotional needs is critical for truly relaxing and taking better care of yourself.
#6. Just Say No
“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” -Anna Taylor
In Luke 4:42-44, crowds were begging Jesus to continue healing and helping them. But he said no. He had to move on to other towns and preach there.
He didn’t allow himself to be dissuaded by popular opinions or by the demands of friends or society.
Instead, he simply moved on, “for I was sent for this purpose.” Jesus had a clear sense of purpose and values.
Tim Elmore recommends writing down five of your most important values and using them to help you make decisions in gray areas.
Eliminate parts of your life that don’t fit your values as a part of your self-care regimen.
Just learn how to just say no and don’t feel bad or guilty about it.
#7. Taking Time to Be Quiet
Taking time to be quiet is an important part of any self-care love routine.
Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.”
Psalm 62:5 tells us to wait in silence for God.
Then Psalm 131:2 speaks of the importance of stilling our souls before God.
Many Bible passages encourage us to live a quiet life (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 3:4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Make time in your life for silence before the Lord.
Wait on him and try to connect to Him from the heart. Still your heart and acknowledge that it’s not all up to you—it’s up to Him!
This implies telling yourself that you are going to pause and slow down at intermittent times during the day.
Try to relax, go to a quiet place in or outside the house, look around you, close your eyes, and take deep breaths in and out several times.
You’ll notice that you will feel more relaxed before you start off again.
#8. Meditation
Even if you don’t subscribe to the common cultural views of meditation, you can still follow the Biblical command to fill your mind with God’s word.
You don’t have to spend 30 minutes in meditation every time. Two to five minutes—while in the restroom or while feeding the baby—are often sufficient.
Meditate on God’s word and stop the endless soundtrack of frenetic thoughts that try to take your attention. Ponder on the Lord and His love for you for two minutes.
#9. Stretching
Wondering how to take care of yourself as a mom? Consider adding stretching into your life. A simple internet search will lead to easy stretches that you can do any minute of the day.
Watching your kids in the park, you can do a slow nod exercise or a hip flexor stretch.
Before you wind down for the night or while the kids are asleep or at school, you can take a little time, inhale, exhale and stretch.
Watch how much relief you’ll experience.
These are so inconspicuous that no one will even notice you are stretching!
If you work a desk job, try to get up every hour and stretch. Your blood will start to flow and you will notice an increased mental acuity.
#10. Journaling
Commit to journaling regularly as an important way of processing your emotions, understanding your life, releasing your frustration, and taking care of yourself emotionally.
Boundaries for the Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies By Allison Cook provides some important jumping-off points for journaling about triggering events.
It is very healing to write down your responses to Allison Cook’s probing questions in this book.
Her questions will help you get some distance from overwhelming emotions, talk to them kindly as if they were frightened children, comfort them with the love of Jesus, and re-integrate them into your renewed purpose.
This all-inclusive women’s care package provides simple ways to make you feel better.
Journaling is an important way to process your feelings, encourages self-awareness, and improves your mood.
Some ideas on how to start journaling are to start with positive inner reflections first like what makes you happy, what inspires you, your idea of a good day, eight things you love about yourself and your family, what makes you proud about yourself.
#11. Gratitude Diary
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thanks.
Is there someone in your life that has shown you that you matter to them?
A gratitude journal helps you to focus your attention on positive things in your life, great or small.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Regardless of the circumstances, you can find at least three things to be thankful for.
Keeping a gratitude diary or journal helps you come back later with gratefulness and remember what God has done, making your day more productive and focused.
#12. Spend Time Outdoors
A park, field, or stream is an excellent place to work on self-care. You might want to spend some time walking by yourself or with a friend.
Almost any of these self-care ideas can be done outside. You can exercise outside, express gratitude outside, or meditate outside.
Listening to music that elicits positive emotions can help you to relax and elevate your spirit, which improves your mood and general well-being.
#15. Smile More
A clerk at the store, a child in your arms, or a neighbor across the street would be happy to receive your smile, which in turn can improve your mood, relieve your stress, and lower blood pressure.
Scientists have found that a smile gives your brain more feel-good hormones than receiving a large sum of money!
Smiling lifts your own spirits and encourages others.
Spreading smiles is free, painless, and rewarding. Make smiling an important part of your self-care love routine.
#16.Sleep
Sleep should be a priority in our self-care journey.
Bill Fish, a certified sleep science coach and co-founder of Tuck stated that “Getting a proper night sleep is essential to our health,” in fact, sleep is now known as the third pillar of wellness along with exercise and nutrition.”
Create a sleep schedule and try your best to stick to it. That way your body knows when to settle to rest and when to rise.
A full night sleep promotes mental wellness and diminishes the negative effects of poor sleeping habits that include fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and negative thoughts.
#17. Digital Detox
Distancing yourself from digital devices like smartphones, computers, tablets, and social media platforms help you to focus on real-life interactions and can make your brain to relax and also improve your sleep and focus.
It is a known fact that many families and relationships don’t have many faces to face social interaction anymore.
Most of the time, everyone is by themselves and on their phone, tablet, playing a game, or on social media.
You could be in the same house and you are talking to your spouse or children from the cell phone.
Develop a digital detox hour, hours, or a day that you’ll focus your mind on yourself to improve your focus and reduce stress.
You can call it or relate to it as a biblical fast. Maybe that could help you keep the phones away and stay off social media for some time to rejuvenate and take better care of yourself.
The journey of taking better care of yourself starts in your mind. You must understand your dependence on God and the limits of your body and spirit.
The journey of taking care of yourself emotionally continues as you process your grief, change your thinking about your own value, and start practical steps like meditation, stretching, and journaling.
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” -Oprah
How does this journey end? In reality, the journey of self-care never ends. It’s not a one-time deal.
But it does come to a culmination as you begin to have enough energy, passion, and joy to invest in others again.
As you entrust your own needs to God and humbly accept your own limits, you begin looking at others’ needs as more important than your own.
The Bible instructs that you take care of others with the same attentive care that you take care of yourself (Mark 12:31 – The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’).
And, in this way, the purpose of self-care is complete.
Your mind is one of the most fragile yet most powerful things in your body.
It is so important to look after yourselves and learn how to look after your beautiful mind. And body too.
Are you seeing things from a different perspective?
Don’t make excuses for not practicing self-care.
You are so worth it!
Please don’t allow procrastination to rob you of the well deserved wholeness and happiness that you deserve.
“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” – Roy T. Bennett
How are you practicing self-care?
What routine have you put in place that is solely for you?
Please drop a line in the comments – it can help someone.
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Sending lots of love and positivity your way………..♥
You may have seen the catch phrase, “It’s the small moments that make life big,” plastered in a sentimental scrapbook or posted beside a baby photo on social media.
But have you ever taken the time to think carefully about the truth behind this statement?
We often work, labor, and stress to achieve the great moments: a vacation, a college degree, or a great milestone.
But we don’t often take the time to realize that each and everyday experience with our friends, spouses, and children are the stuff of life.
It takes more than just love to keep any relationship, especially a marriage relationship, strong and healthy.
Without the little gestures and consistent, persistent prayers, the big achievements will have no significance.
Click here for the enchanted 4-sentence prayer can give you boundless blessings in 7 days! Transformational!
Be spontaneous. Avoid being predictable.
Here are some small steps and gestures you can try every day and often to show your spouse that you love them.
These small gestures can save your marriage relationship.
They are simple and practicable.
Moreover, these gestures don’t take a lot of time or money.
Some of them will take just a second or two of your time.
It’s simple, painless, and a free way to improve your quality of life and your marriage relationship.
Show that you are truly happy to see him or her.
Take the time to smile. It’s one of the small gestures that matter.
2. Say Thank You
A married couple with nearly forty years of experience shares that one of the most meaningful small things/gestures in their marriage was thankfulness.
The husband thanked his wife for daily chores and small tasks she performed for the family.
Daily, he thanked her for the delicious meals she created.
By example, he taught their children to cultivate a habit of thankfulness.
Saying thank you is another example of small things that make a big difference in any relationship.
Often we get too comfortable in a marriage relationship and start taking small things like saying thank you or showing gratitude for granted.
3. Ask Questions
Engage your spouse in meaningful conversations.
Show you care by asking about their day.
Do a simple online search for conversation starters for couples, then bring those questions into your daily life.
Don’t just rotate in the same ruts that you’ve always used.
Try to bring in new topics of conversation and learn something new about your spouse every day.
Pack a special food item in your spouse’s lunch box or show up at his or her work with chocolates or flowers.
Why not try tucking a love note into a lunch box, in a drawer, under a pillow, or even in your spouse’s shoes?
Listen to your spouse’s conversation and try to tune in to the small nuances that provide clues to the things they like and dislike.
Then surprise them with a small gift “just because.”
It will bring a smile to your loved one’s face and help sustain your marriage relationship.
5. Love Texts Can transform a marriage relationship
Sometimes the most powerful small things include showing that someone remembers you.
Show your spouse you are thinking of him or her by sending him a love note or prayer by text!
Send him or her a message during the day, letting them know you are thinking of them and praying for them.
Remember the events that your spouse has scheduled for the day and ask how those things are going.
Colossians 3:12 says, “Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Showing your partner you are thinking of him or her is a way to demonstrate kindness and gentleness to one another.
6. Simple Touch
Simple touch means a brief, playful touch that brings connection.
Pat their shoulder, caress their hair, do a special handshake, or give a brief kiss or hug.
Do these rituals every day to enrich your life and your marriage.
Reach out and make the first move.
Show your spouse you care and want to connect.
Show you care. Every touch shouldn’t be for sex.
7. Create Daily Rituals
Every relationship should have rhythms and patterns of connection. These patterns lend stability to relationships.
Check in every morning over coffee. Hold hands and pray. Call each other at lunch time and check in.
Have special and specific times off social media and other devices. This is big one these days!
Take time each week to go over that week’s schedule and pray together over your week.
Daily bible based devotions together are great!!
A family that prays together stays together, they say.
Doing your rituals on a regular, recurring basis will help you and your spouse feel safe.
Becky Bailey calls these rituals of connection, “I Love You Rituals.”
She says that I Love You Rituals contain four ingredients: playfulness, simple touch, presence, and gentle eye contact.
While most of her I Love You Rituals are geared for adults connecting with children, partners can similarly incorporate the same principles into their interactions with one another.
Are you truly present with your spouse during that quick kiss?
Do you touch them gently, look fondly into their eyes, and express playfulness and joy?
It’s the little things that matter.
8. Respond to Your Spouse’s “Bids”
Steve Call says that couples are constantly sending out “bids” for attention.
Like a slight nose-scratch or cough from a bidder at an auction, some of these bids are subtle and hard to notice.
Nonetheless, spouses are constantly asking one another for connection in small ways.
It’s important to notice and respond positively to your spouse’s bid for attention.
If they hint at going out to eat, taking a walk, chatting about the day, or playing a board game, make sure you don’t brush off this small invitation.
Notice their “bid” for attention and respond with kindness.
If you’re not available right then, then make sure you schedule another time when the two of you could connect.
If you make a habit of dismissing or ignoring your spouse’s bids, she or he may stop asking, and your relationship will suffer.
9. Give Them Wildflowers
How about finding a small bouquet of lovely sweet peas, daisies, trumpet vine, or daffodils?
Wildflowers are a small but significant way to add beauty and love to your spouse’s life.
Even if not expensive, a small gesture like this shows your spouse that you took time and effort to show them that you love them.
Wildflowers is another example of small things that matter.
What are other things you think you can do to strengthen your marriage relationship?
10. Say “I Love You.”
Sometimes we assume that others know that we love them. But the words matter.
Many songs have been written on the importance of verbalizing our love.
Sometimes, we realize too late that we should have been more diligent about speaking love out loud.
Ron Hamilton’s song reminds us, “Life is but a vapor, quickly vanishing away. Wait until tomorrow, and your change may flee away.
Give a fragrant flower while its beauty still can charm. Give a kiss to warm the longing heart.
Say ‘I love you’ while the heart can feel. Say ‘I love you’ while the heat can heal.
Make a heart rejoice, give your love a voice. Speak the words while you can say ‘I love you.”
Unconditional love should be expressed every day.
11. Be a Good Listener
Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Take time to really hear what your spouse is saying to you.
Be an empathetic listener.
Give them your full attention, make eye contact, nod, and ask clarifying questions.
Assure your spouse that they are important to you by listening to what they are sharing with you—even if it seems trivial.
Don’t be quick to provide solutions. Often your partner just wants you to listen.
12. Don’t Go To Asleep Angry.
In Ephesians 4, Paul puts limits on our anger. While anger is a powerful force that can sometimes be used for good, it has potential for great harm.
In this passage, Paul helps us understand helpful boundaries for our anger.
Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
In other words, we are permitted to experience the energy of anger that helps mobilize us to do something about an unjust situation we care deeply about.
But God puts a 24-hour time limit on anger.
We are not allowed to sin in our anger through gossip, hatred, slander, selfishness, or revenge.
We are also not allowed to hang onto it for long.
Anger always morphs into something selfish and destructive.
God encourages people to deal with their anger before the sun goes down, so we do not carry it with us into the next day.
Sometimes, it’s not wise to talk about conflicts before you go to bed, since both of you may be stressed, exhausted, and in need of sleep.
However, aim to talk through your situation in that 24-hour window.
Seek peace and reconciliation as soon as possible.
Forgive, and don’t hold onto your anger.
13. Be An Encourager in your marriage relationship
Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another every day, while it is called today, so that not one of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Life can be intensely discouraging, so don’t take for granted the importance of your encouragement to your spouse.
If you are running dry on encouraging things to say, just do a simple online search for encouraging quotes and words of encouragement for a spouse.
Then use them! Don’t miss a day!
14. Don’t assume anything in your marriage relationship
Mike Bechtle wrote the following commentary on the importance of not making assumptions:
“Someone said, ‘In the absence of data, we tend to make things up.’
That’s why it’s important to keep talking about hard issues. If we don’t, we won’t know what the other person is thinking.
So we start believing our made-up perspectives, imagining things that aren’t there and assuming they’re true.”
Seek to always ask questions, clarify conversations first, and believe the best.
Moreover, never assume you know what your spouse is thinking or what their motivations are.
Always ask! Don’t be a mind reader.
15. Spend Time Together, but also Spend Time Alone
Sherry Turkle, in her excellent book, Reclaiming The Conversation: the Power of Talk in a Digital Age, said, “Loneliness is painful, emotionally and even physically, born from a want of intimacy” when we need it most, in early childhood. Solitude—the capacity to be contentedly and constructively alone—is built from successful human connection at just that time.”
Avoid loneliness by prioritizing your spouse and making sure they feel loved, cared for, and listened to.
Go on dates and prioritize one-on-one conversations away from children.
Similarly, have a healthy balance between alone time and together time.
16. Accept Each Other
Romans 15:5-7 provides a beautiful vision of the church that can also be applied to marriage.
“Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.”
God, therefore, encourages us to see a vision of oneness, harmony, and unity. Praise to God.
However, in order to reach that point, we must accept one another.
Your spouse may have a different personality than you do, for instance.
He may have different likes or dislikes. She may also have quirks.
But successful marriages must be based on unconditional love and acceptance.
Understand you are not perfect, therefore your spouse cannot be perfect either.
You are both “work in progress”. Two imperfect people striving to make it by the grace of God in an imperfect world.
Show your spouse that you truly delight in him or her, just the way he or she is.
The Bible says it’s the little things that matter. “For who has despised the day of small things?” God asks in Zechariah 4:10.
The Lord God says that the tiny mustard seed can grow into a giant tree (Mark 4:10).
A tiny bit of yeast can spread through an entire lump of dough (Matthew 13:33).
On the flip side, a tiny negative word of anger or hatred can spread, causing great destruction and devastation (James 3:5).
In conclusion, it’s worth our time to make sure that the small moments in a marriage relationship are healthy, beautiful, and nurturing to our spouse.
It’s not the heart-stopping moments of romance, the breathtaking honeymoon destinations, or the great accomplishments that make a marriage successful.
How Do I Make My Relationship Stay Strong – 16 Ways
