Top 10 clergy wellbeing tips for the Advent and Christmas seasons
Dates & Seasons
“In all the busyness, it can be easy for clergy to get out of beneficial habits, including healthy eating, exercising regularly, taking time out for self-care and skipping personal prayer times. It’s important for clergy to remember to take care of themselves, so that they can actually enjoy the festive season,” says ACSQ Wellbeing and Development Officer Rebecca McLean
Story Timeline
Clergy burnout and wellbeing
Christmas is fast approaching. It’s a wonderful time of year. However, with all the preparation for special services, additional gatherings and wider community commitments, let alone the more personal pressures of shopping, social functions and getting ready for Christmas with family and friends, the risk for clergy to burnout is higher in December.
In all the busyness, it can be easy for clergy to get out of beneficial habits, including healthy eating, exercising regularly, taking time out for self-care and skipping personal prayer times.
It’s important for clergy to remember to take care of themselves, so that they can actually enjoy the festive season.
As a member of the Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission (PMC) team, I see how dedicated clergy are and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge what you do and how you do it — with such care and compassion.
I know that all PMC team members are particularly thinking of clergy as Advent approaches.
So, here are my top 10 wellbeing tips for clergy in the Advent and Christmas seasons:
- Be mindful that you’re mortal: It’s okay to say “no” to things or “I’ll get back to you about that” (and then give the request some thought before responding) or “Yes, I can help with that — in February.” It’s also ok to ask for assistance. For the activities that only clergy can do, delegate some tasks within that activity to trusted people.
- Collaborate with other clergy: For example, collaboration can be done by setting up a “Clergy Christmas Collaboration” WhatsApp group. Share resources (e.g. liturgies, social media graphics, YouTube videos, group studies, booklets, etc). Bounce ideas off each other.
- Find quiet time daily: Diarise quiet time — setting aside at least 15 minutes of quiet time daily can make a big difference. Consider turning the phone off so you are not distracted by text messages, emails and calls. Read, listen to music, go for a walk, or just relax in the backyard.
- Do things you enjoy: Make time for a hobby and the things that make you happy.
- Find time for exercise: Regular exercise can be the first healthy habit to go when clergy are under the pump. The Queensland heat and humidity can be an additional contributing factor to this. Find ways to include exercise into your day. If you are in a Zoom call, turn your camera off (or leave it on) and jump on the treadmill or exercise bike. Put in ear buds and go for a walk during a scheduled call.
- Eat and drink healthily: Tis’ the season for overeating and drinking. Consciously go for healthier foods (e.g. when you bring a “plate” make it a healthy one — be that person that brings carrot and celery sticks with hummus and pesto to the party). Ahead of Advent starting, cook in larger batches and freeze meals so you have healthy lunches/dinners on hand. Drink lots of water.
- Get enough sleep: Tis’ also the season for getting less sleep. Quality of sleep is often improved if people are eating well, staying hydrated and exercising. Observe good “sleep hygiene” (e.g. read a hard copy book instead of your iPad or phone in the hour before bedtime). Get at least seven to eight hours sleep per night.
- Talk to someone: If you’re feeling stressed, talk to a friend, clergy/ministry peer, family member, or someone else you trust. Remember that you have access to Flourish, which offers clergy (and eligible others) up to six one-hour counselling sessions per year face to face, over the phone or via video (phone 1300 361 008).
- It’s ok to let some things go: While some routine tasks are important to maintain, it’s healthy to give yourself permission to let go a little. So, if you vacuum fortnightly instead of weekly, that’s ok. It’s ok to get (healthy) takeaway for dinner more often than usual to help carve out time (maybe walk to the healthy takeaway place to get in your daily exercise).
- Give thanks to God: 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
