For many Christians, the phrase self-care still feels uncomfortable. It can sound selfish, indulgent, or even unspiritual. Yet Scripture consistently points us toward stewardship of our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and our walk with God. Caring for ourselves is not about replacing faith with feelings, it is about sustaining the people God has called us to be.
As explored in 99 Self-Care Techniques for Christians, self-care is not a quick fix or a replacement for worship or counseling. Rather, it is a set of daily, intentional practices that help us remain rooted, present, and emotionally available for God and others.
Below are 10 Christian self-care techniques you can begin practicing today, drawn from that resource and especially relevant for pastors, Christian counselors, and believers navigating stress, burnout, or emotional fatigue.
1. Go for a Prayer Walk
Walking, especially outdoors, has measurable mental health benefits, but it can also be deeply spiritual. A prayer walk allows your body to release stress while your mind turns toward God. As you walk, pray for your family, your church, or your community, inviting God into both movement and stillness.
Just this past Sunday, a small group member stated the best place they can pray is when they are out in nature. As simple as walking to your back porch, hiking a trail, or going to your mailbox can be a time to talk with God.
This simple practice integrates physical regulation and prayer, reminding us that our bodies are not obstacles to faith but instruments of worship.
2. Practice Breath Prayers
Breath prayers are short, Scripture-based prayers paired with slow breathing. For example:
“Lord Jesus Christ” (inhale)
“Have mercy on me” (exhale)
This practice is especially helpful during moments of anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or racing thoughts. It is also foundational to many Christian mindfulness practices. If you want to explore this further, see our full collection of resources on Christian mindfulness here.
3. Write a Letter to God
Journaling doesn’t have to be structured or polished. One powerful form of Christian self-care is writing a letter directly to God expressing gratitude, anger, confusion, grief, or hope.
This practice helps externalize thoughts, regulate emotions, and deepen honesty in prayer. Many counselors recommend written prayer as a way to slow down the nervous system and foster emotional clarity.
Maybe you don’t call it a letter, but it becomes your prayer journal. I would encourage it to be a dialogue with God rather than writing down prayer requests. This can continue to help you remember your relationship with God and how it grows and deepens over time.
4. Create a Small, Dedicated Space for Scripture
Rather than focusing on how long you read the Bible, focus on where and how. Create a small, consistent place to read Scripture that is comfortable, well-lit, and free from distraction.
Even five minutes of Scripture reading that is not tied to sermon prep or professional obligations can restore spiritual connection, especially for pastors and ministry leaders who spend much of their time reading the Bible for others.
5. Take a Nap (Without Guilt)
Rest is not laziness, it is biblical. Jesus Himself withdrew to rest, and God designed sleep as a form of renewal. Chronic exhaustion impairs emotional regulation, spiritual discernment, and relational health.
I’ve heard from several people that they don’t want their prayer time to be at night because after two minutes, they are asleep. But that time with God that leads to rest can be a gift. If you struggle with guilt around rest, it may be helpful to reframe sleep as obedience to God’s design rather than indulgence.
6. Say No to Create Margin
One of the most overlooked self-care practices for Christians is learning to say no. Saying no to one commitment may be what allows you to say yes to God’s presence, your family, or your own health.
This is particularly important for pastors and Christian counselors, who are often expected to be constantly available. If this resonates, you may also want to read our article on pastoral self-care needs.
7. Write Down How God Sees You
Using Scripture such as Romans 8:38–39, write reminders of God’s love, grace, and nearness on sticky notes or cards and place them where you will see them daily.
This practice directly counters shame-based thinking and aligns cognitive renewal with biblical truth, an approach commonly used in Christian counseling.
8. Engage in Worship Outside of “Quiet Time”
Worship does not have to be limited to formal devotions. Play worship music while doing chores, sing in the car, or pause for spontaneous praise during the day.
Unstructured worship can reorient the heart toward joy and gratitude, especially during seasons when structured spiritual disciplines feel heavy or forced.
9. Connect With One Safe Person
Isolation intensifies emotional distress. One simple but powerful self-care practice is intentionally connecting with one trusted person, a friend, mentor, counselor, or small group member.
Healthy Christian self-care is rarely solitary. God designed us for community, and healing often happens in relationships.
10. Consider Counseling as an Act of Stewardship
Seeking counseling is not a failure of faith; it is often an expression of wisdom. Christian counselors are trained to integrate psychological insight with spiritual formation, helping believers care for their mental and emotional health without abandoning their faith.
For those in the counseling profession themselves, we encourage reading this article on Christian counselor self-care.
Going Deeper: A Resource to Support Your Journey
This article only scratches the surface. 99 Self-Care Techniques for Christians provides a comprehensive, faith-integrated list of practices across prayer, Scripture, worship, stewardship, service, and emotional health—along with a self-assessment to help readers identify what is missing and what is already working 99 Self-Care Techniques for Chr….
If you are looking for a practical, theologically grounded resource for yourself, your church staff, or your counseling clients, you can purchase the book here.
Whether you use it individually, in small groups, or as part of a care ministry, this resource is designed to help Christians move from burnout toward sustainable wholeness.
