All too often, people tend to equate "self-care" with "selfish"—but that’s simply not the case, says Theresa De Armond, LPC with Believe Counseling Services LLC. "Protecting your time is a critical element of self-care," she notes. "If you don’t respect your own time, then others won’t either."

And if we don’t protect our time, our lives can become unbalanced, warns Karen R. Koenig, M.Ed., L.C.S.W. "We might then find unhealthy ways to take care of ourselves, such as addictions or dependencies, or we might feel resentful of getting so few of our needs met, or ultimately become burned out," she says.

One way that we can pursue peace is to enjoy each moment. When we take the time to live in the moment or be mindful, we enjoy life and the people we are with so much more than if we are rushing through our day. Discover something special in each day and take some time to enjoy every moment this Christmas.  That too is a form of self-care.

Another way that we can pursue peace is to slow down and be still. Sometimes the pace of life is way too fast and can often be fueled by the expectations of others. If you find that you are having a hard time finding peace, you may need to slow down and take time to enjoy the Christmas season, silently and with stillness. 

If you find yourself getting caught up in the busyness of the season, here are a few simple things you can try to help you maintain your peace…

• Take a deep breath. When things get hectic, slow down, and ask God to refresh your peace.

• Spend time with a close friend. When we get busy, we forget to do the things that bring us joy and help us relax.

• Enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal made from scratch.

• Set and maintain healthy boundaries. Weigh the costs before saying “yes” to something new. Saying “no” is also a form of self-care.

• Go to bed on time. Or make sure you are getting adequate restful sleep by practicing good sleep hygiene.

• Write down your worries…then give them to God.

• Make self-care time a part of your normal daily/weekly activities to increase resilience. Schedule it in if needed.

• Make a list of things you’re thankful for. Be content in all you have.

• Get outside for a while. Take some time to breath in fresh air and get a new perspective.

• Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more. The Bible says a joyful heart is a good medicine because laughter lifts your spirits; improves your mental, emotional, and physical health; and de-stresses your mind.

Be inspired to create space for self-care as and make it part of your daily routine.  Build your own list of what brings you joy and practice something from that list each day!

Please take 20 minutes to unplug—no television, no phone, no tablet, or computer. Use those minutes to rest, pray, relax, and reflect on your blessings. This is a great way to get started with devoting time to your mental and spiritual well-being. Then expand the list to include each dimension of well-being.

 Write down your worries…then give them to God.