Real Talk About Self Care

I recently realized that I had been neglecting to care for myself in some pretty basic ways. This is easy to do when life gets stressful, but sometimes we all need a nudge to do better for ourselves. Sometimes, self care looks more like everyday discipline in caring for ourselves so that we are well enough to care for others. Today I share you with some nudges to help you self care.

Snippet from the Show

The light of Christ shines in the darkest places.


Shownotes

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”- St. Augustine


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I recently realized that I had been neglecting to care for myself in some pretty basic ways. The end result was that I was suffering chronic headaches and neck and back pain. This is unusual for me, and so I thought a bit about what might be causing it. That was when I realized that I have been avoiding working out and not getting enough rest. This is easy to do when life gets stressful, but sometimes we all need a nudge to do better for ourselves. Sometimes, self care looks more like everyday discipline in caring for ourselves so that we are well enough to care for others.

Here are some nudges I want to give you today:

  1. Exercise

Are you moving your body every day? Getting some basic forms of exercise? One Youtube I especially like for on-the-go, not-too-long workouts is Joe the Body Coach.

  1. Eat well

I won’t tell you how to eat, but we all know when we are not feeding ourselves well. Do you need to cut down on sugar or processed foods? Do you need to limit your alcohol or caffeine. For those who might be struggling with or wondering about the role alcohol plays in their lives, I recommend the book This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness, and Change Your Life by Annie Grace.

  1. Get some sleep

Are you getting enough rest? Sometimes self care looks like having the discipline to take a nap in the day or to go to bed at a reasonable time. Take care of yourself like you would your own toddler by getting the rest you need.

  1. Finances

Does your financial situation stress you out? Do you avoid looking into your finances because you are afraid of what you might find there? Are you in denial about credit card debt or other problems? Stop avoiding and take care of this. Take one small step toward finding peace in your financial situation. Compass Catholic Ministries is one resource that can help you get started.

  1. Spirituality

You knew I was going to say this … you need prayer in your life! You can use the free daily Gospel prayer resources at CatholicMom.com or some other structure. The book series I love and recommend is The Better Part by Fr. John Bartunek. 

This week I also answer a question from listener Emily who is struggling with losing her patience with her toddler son. 

My newest book is one that I wrote with Dan, the Manual for Marriage, a beautiful resource for every couple. In it, Dan and I share reflective essays on marriage and family life, but it also features a large collection of prayers, Scripture passages, hymns, and stories from the saints that will encourage and support you in your married relationship.  

I have received so much feedback from all of you about my newest book and the first chapter that I shared with you at the end of episode 210Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood is a book in which I share from my heart about the very real changes, challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a mom in an “emptying nest.” You can read that sample chapter at Ave Maria Press. (Use the coupon code BEAN20 to get 20% off your order!)

My book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth, is available for order! Use the code, GIRLFRIENDS to receive ten percent off your order. Don’t miss out on this special available exclusively to listeners of the Girlfriends podcast. 

Have feedback or an idea to share? I would love to hear from you!

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Megan Madden

Megan Madden is a homeschooling mother with a passion for writing and speaking on authentic femininity and virtuous womanhood. In 2017, she began graduate studies in marriage and family at the International Theological Institute in Austria. After moving to Kraków, Poland to work with university students, Megan more personally continued her research on the complementarity of man and woman, particularly on the question of what it means to be a woman. She delved into the study of renowned Catholic writers on women such as St. Edith Stein, Gertrude von le Fort, Alice von Hildebrand, St. John Paul II, and St. Teresa of Avila.

The results were the development of Megan’s online ministry A Mother’s Lace, as well as speaking opportunities and her book with Ascension: Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter.

Megan lives outside of Oxford, England with her husband, who is a lecturer in theology, and their five children.

1 Comment

  1. Thank you As a non-Catholic ..and continuing self-study in Catholicism, I find myself becoming more ‘restless’. Thank you for sharing the practicals for “body, mind, and soul”

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