Micro-Retreats

Learning the Skill of Self-Care Moments

My life is currently filled to overflowing—well beyond what I would ever recommend to my clients. Because of this, I am continually asked, “How do you have time for self-care?” My response is simple: Micro-Retreats.

Micro-Retreats are a product of mindfulness, much like remaining in unceasing prayer. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, silence, gratefulness, acts of kindness, or any of the spiritual disciplines, I have learned to live in the moment and engage in restorative activities throughout my day. Instead of spending six to eight hours studying or practicing these activities, I began fitting them in between clients, while I’m driving, during brief breaks—literally in every spare moment I have.

Micro-Retreats look like using my commute as a prayer closet, personal classroom, worship session, spiritual retreat, or simple “Me-Time.” When I have only a few moments, they may look like gratitude, deep breathing, doodling, or whatever helps me quickly decompress and feel more grounded. Whether I have minutes or moments, I try to prioritize my personal well-being through spirituality, grounding, and emotional release. The benefits often feel more effective than waiting hours—or even days—for traditional self-care.

Self-care is as important as regular car maintenance. If you don’t refill the gas tank, keep up with servicing, rotate the tires, and immediately address the “check engine” light, your car will run poorly—if it runs at all. Likewise, we need to keep refilling our physical, emotional, and spiritual tanks, integrate regular beneficial routines, take a few minutes to mentally and emotionally step away from our regular duties, and address our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs the moment we recognize them. If we don’t, we risk burnout—or breakdown.

At Christian Care and Coaching, we can help you learn how to effectively utilize Micro-Retreats—not by adding more pressure to your already-full life, but by helping you recognize the restorative moments already within reach. Your very first step could be reaching out and requesting our assistance. After all, it only takes a moment to begin—and a lifetime to enjoy.