We’ve all heard the advice: take a spa day, book a massage, or carve out time to relax. While that sounds great in theory, the reality is most of us are juggling so many roles and responsibilities that finding even 10 extra minutes feels impossible—never mind an entire day. If self-care feels like an unattainable luxury, you’re just like I was a few years ago.

The truth is, self-care isn’t about spending lots of money or huge time commitments. It’s about integrating two types of strategies (proactive and reactive) into your daily life so you can improve and maintain your well-being, and hopefully lower your stress.

Proactive vs. Reactive Self-Care

Proactive self-care is about maintaining your well-being before stress builds up. These are the intentional habits you weave into your daily routine to prevent burnout and support your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Your proactive strategies should be personal and realistic. Think about activities that nourish different aspects of your well-being, such as:

• Taking a walk in nature
• Eating nutrient-rich meals, most of the time
• Journaling or engaging in a creative hobby
• Reading a book that inspires or calms you
• Regular check-ins with a close friend or family member

On the other hand, reactive self-care is what you turn to in moments of stress, exhaustion, or crisis. These strategies help you regain stability when life feels overwhelming. While they don’t change the situation, they can shift how you respond to it. Some quick, effective reactive strategies include:

• Drinking a glass of water
• Listening to a calming song
• Saying a short (or long) prayer
• Reciting a comforting Scripture
• Sending a quick text to your support person(s)
• Taking a few deep breaths or doing a short meditation

Making Self-Care Work for You

Self-care isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding small, practical ways to take care of yourself every day. By combining both proactive and reactive strategies, you’ll feel more balanced, resilient, and present in your daily life.

• Proactive self-care helps you prevent burnout.
• Reactive self-care helps you recover when things get tough.
  Together, they create a sustainable approach to well-being that fits your real life.

I used to think I didn’t have time for self-care. Between parenting, work, class, and all of life’s other demands, it seemed impossible. But once I started weaving these small practices into my day – a five-minute devotional while the tea steeped, a quick walk around the driveway (or block if you’re in town) during a phone call, or even just pausing to breathe deeply before responding to my kids – I discovered that self-care wasn’t about adding more to my day. It was about making the day I already had more sustainable for me. Join me over the next few weeks as we walk through some simple self-care strategies that you can easily incorporate into your life.