How to have a mini spiritual retreat at home
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Self-care is a fundamental part of being trauma-informed. When we are not looking after our own wellbeing, it can affect how we respond to others, making it harder to remain patient, compassionate, and regulated. Without recognising and addressing our own needs, we may unintentionally react in ways that are less helpful or even contribute to re-traumatising the very people we are trying to support. Prioritising self-care is not a luxury; it is an essential responsibility that enables us to show up with empathy, presence, and care for others.
So, when was the last time you truly stopped? Not because you were ill, exhausted or had reached breaking point, but because you intentionally made space to be refreshed by God.
For many of us in ministry, life is full of serving others. We pour out our time, energy and compassion, often without noticing just how empty our own cup has become.
Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray and rest. Yet so many of us struggle to give ourselves permission to do the same.
We've put together a little guide below on how to have a mini spiritual retreat at home. As well as the activities below, we would recommend sensory input to help your nervous system relax. Think about how to treat all of your senses to something nice - maybe using candles, foods with different textures, soft cushions, weighted blankets, flowers, gentle music...
Take time to refill your own bucket, so you can continue to pour into others.
Nine steps to taking time out to spend time with God:
Start with worship - a Psalm or a song
Try some breath prayers
Pray through some scripture
Write down all that you're involved in
Identify what motivates and energises you
Draw pictures of things that give you joy
Write or draw areas of your life that bring worry
Pray over your activities and ask God for direction
End with worship - a Psalm or a song.
Interested in finding out more about self care? Check out our Self Care for Teams workshop
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