We’ve been taught the importance of bodily hygiene since childhood. We regularly shower and brush our teeth. But hygiene is not just for our physical health. It’s also for our soul’s vitality.
Hygiene refers to the practices we engage in to preserve good health and prevent disease. And this is important for both our body and soul.
Soul hygiene includes cleaning, trimming, and finding meaningful rhythms.
Cleaning
Daily we’re exposed to many thoughts and images that plague the soul. And without regular cleaning, these distortions are soon accepted as normal and good.
Good soul hygiene includes regularly washing ourselves in God’s word and his very presence.
It might also include surrounding ourselves with like hearted individuals or simply letting the wonder of nature wash over us and renew our spirits.
Trimming
Like trimming fingernails, many good things must often be cut for the sake of hygiene.
The soul cannot thrive with overextended commitments and responsibilities. And the gift of no might be our soul’s best friend.
Perhaps we need to prune certain relationships, a project, or our online habits to maintain the vitality of our soul.
Meaningful Rhythms
There’s a time to work and a time to rest. And our souls thrive when we can do both.
The same is true in our need to be with others and our need for solitude.
We do well to find these rhythms of inhaling and exhaling throughout our life and relationships.
Good soul hygiene helps preserve our inner vitality and prevent dis-ease.
By all means, continue to wash your hands and brush your teeth. But also allow your inner self to thrive through the regular practices of soul hygiene.
Photo by Austin Mabe on Unsplash
