Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others

As an Episcopal Church clergyperson, lay employee, or volunteer, you devote yourself to meeting the spiritual and practical needs of your community. Although this work can be deeply rewarding, it can also be demanding—leading to stress, fatigue, even burnout. While focusing on others, you may unintentionally neglect your own well-being. At Church Pension Group (CPG), we know that self-care is a necessity.

When you care for yourself, you’re better able to care for others. Mental and physical health are closely connected, and if either is compromised, your ability to serve diminishes. Recognizing the importance of self-care is the first step; putting it into practice is what makes the difference.

Here are a few strategies to help you boost balance and well-being.

• Prioritize Physical Wellness: Regular exercise, good nutrition, and adequate sleep can promote energy and reduce stress.
• Practice Mindfulness: Deep breathing, prayer, and meditation may calm the mind and restore focus.
• Connect with Others: Colleagues, friends, and mentors who understand the unique challenges of ministry can provide support.
• Seek Professional Help: Counseling is not a sign of weakness—it’s a proactive step toward health.

To help you in these efforts, CPG offers the following benefits.

Employee Assistance Programs

The Employee Assistance Program and the International Employee Assistance Program are wholly confidential resources available at no cost to eligible employees, their dependents, and all members of their household. They provide access to licensed counselors and tools for managing stress, relationships, and life transitions. Whether you’re seeking short-term counseling or practical assistance with everyday concerns, these programs can help.

Cigna Healthy Rewards

Through Cigna’s EAP, Healthy Rewards offers savings on memberships at more than 10,000 fitness centers nationwide, plus discounts on vision and hearing care, weight management programs, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic. To learn more, log in to myCigna.com and navigate to Healthy Rewards Discount Programs under the Wellness tab.

Hinge Health

If you experience joint or muscle pain, take advantage of Hinge Health,* which provides free, personalized virtual therapy that fits any schedule. With 24/7 access to therapist-led exercises for knees, hips, and back, this digital clinic helps you reduce pain, improve mobility, and stay active—without having to leave home. To get started, visit Hinge Health.

Omada Health

With personalized virtual coaching, behavioral change techniques, clinical oversight, and tools such as wireless scales that track your progress, *Omada Health can help you lose weight, manage diabetes, control hypertension, and enhance overall well-being.

Leveraging these resources is an act of stewardship—of your own health and of the work entrusted to you. By prioritizing self-care, you strengthen your well-being and model healthy practices for those you serve.

*Available only to members whose plans use the Anthem and Cigna networks.

Comments? Questions? Concerns? CPG is listening. Please reach out to us at corpcomm@cpg.org.