What is Christian self-care? A conversation with Erin Kerry

Erin Kerry joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss how functional and traditional medicine can complement each other, why self-care done right can be biblical, the importance of seeing ourselves as body, mind, and soul, and why nutrition is important to mental health.

 

Show notes: 

 

Erin Kerry talks about her life story, including her struggle with serious mental illness and how she developed a passion for helping others in the same place (1:40). Kerry discusses integrative nutrition, functional medicine, and how they can complement traditional medicine (8:01). The conversation turns to the difference between self-medicating and self-care, whether Christians should use self-care, and the necessity of sabbath (18:09). She highlights the importance of silence and spiritual rest (31:33). Kerry talks about gluten and why it’s become trendy, as well as how digestion works in your body (38:15). She ends by sharing practical tips better to integrate your life with healthy habits (45:50).

 

Resources and further reading:

 

• sparkingwholeness.com 

• “How to practice biblical self-care” Erin Kerry 

• “Should I take meds for my depression? A Christian approach to the mental illness epidemic” Erin Kerry 

 

About the host

 

Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. 

 

About the guest

 

Erin Kerry is a certified integrative nutrition health coach and mom to three children. She has received training from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and The School of Applied Functional Medicine. As a survivor of mental illness, she is passionate about advocating for mental health. She is the owner of Sparking Wholeness, host of the Sparking Wholeness podcast, and works as the Integrative Health Coach at Living Well Counseling and Wellness Center in Tyler, Texas.