Do you want to improve your health and well-being? If your answer is yes, then you need to pay attention to some key factors that can make a difference in your health. One of the main causes of health issues is obesity which is very high among Christians and in most cases, obesity is a lifestyle issue. Since health issues do not discriminate, it does not matter if you are a Christian or not. The major difference is how Christians approach their treatment in comparison to the unsaved. Christianity emphasizes a lot on prayer for healing and good health. We continually pray for healing and good health, but we also need to take some practical steps to assist in our focus on achieving good health and healing. Here are some:
Let us Talk With God Often – Prayer
I pray aloud every morning, sometimes at night, and during the day, but I talk to God silently many times throughout the day. Yes, as the sons and daughters of God, we need to make prayer part of our daily healthy lifestyle. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. Prayer is talking with God and God talking with You. This will allow you to receive His guidance, peace, and grace. It will help you cope with stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. Prayer can boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and improve your mood. You can pray anytime, anywhere, and in any way that suits you. You can pray alone or with others, silently or aloud, using words or images, following a structure, or being spontaneous. The important thing is to pray sincerely and regularly. Many times, during your health journey prayer helps you to deal with depression.
Fasting Can Be Beneficial for You
Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food or drink for a certain period, usually for spiritual or health reasons. It can help to detoxify your body, improve your digestion, enhance your mental clarity, and increase your self-control. Fasting requires discipline and commitment. When you fast, the body feels the hunger, but your mental and spiritual focus is higher, and you tend to draw closer the God to keep you throughout the fast. You can fast for a few hours or a few days, depending on your goals and abilities. I tend to do intermittent fasting and Daniel fasts, but I have a friend who does absolute fasts of 3 days and 7 days. She even fasted for 40 days on one occasion. Remember, you should consult your doctor before fasting if you have any medical conditions or take any medications. Many people say that intermittent fasting has helped them with weight loss and healing and lots of research has also been done on this subject.
Why Exercise is Critical for You
We need to make exercise a part of our daily activities. Many of us struggle to make time and develop the discipline to exercise regularly. We tend to start and then stop before we get tangible benefits. If you check most gyms at the beginning of each year, you will find them crowded as people are determined to fulfill their New Year resolutions. Check them back periodically after 2 months or so and you will find fewer people. I know this is true for the gym I attend. Exercise can improve your fitness, strength, endurance, flexibility, and health. It can help you prevent or manage various diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also help you lose weight, tone your muscles, improve your posture, and boost your energy. It can also make you happier, as it releases endorphins, the hormones that make you feel good. You should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. You can choose any type of exercise that you enjoy and that suits your level of fitness. These include walking, running, cycling, and swimming. Even though I have always been involved in sports, when life got busy exercise was one of the areas that I skimped on. The result eventually showed. I started to go to the gym three or four times per week, ensuring that I do at least 30 minutes of cardio and half an hour of strength and flexibility exercises. I also made sure to eat a healthy diet. These two changes produced visible results in about four months. Of course, I also get exercise and sunlight while mowing my lawn and working in my garden. On top of those benefits, exercise will help you to release toxins when you sweat. I now make sure to be disciplined and stick to that routine to stay on track.
Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet for Your Health
This is vital, as a balanced diet provides your body with all the nutrients it needs to function properly. We should strive to make food our medicine. It is very important to educate ourselves about the health benefits of various foods. A balanced diet includes a variety of foods from different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, and healthy fats. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your cholesterol, regulate your blood sugar, and prevent nutritional deficiencies. You should eat moderate portions of food and avoid processed foods, added sugars, salt, and trans fats. This is one of the most difficult issues Christians deal with. If you have a fruit and vegetable garden, you should prepare healthy meals using what you produce. My home-grown fruits and vegetables taste much better to me than store-bought ones.
Adequate Rest is Important for You
We must ensure that we get sufficient rest. Many Christians, especially seniors struggle with getting an adequate amount of sleep. There are certain teas, herbs, supplements, and food that can help you to rest or sleep better. Chamomile, valerian, mint, lemon balm, and Nashia inaguensis are some of the herbal teas that people drink to help them sleep better. Good rest is a state of relaxation that allows your body and mind to recover from the stress and fatigue of the day. It includes getting enough sleep, taking breaks during the day, and engaging in leisure activities that make you happy. It can help you improve your memory, concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills. If you get adequate sleep, you will function better throughout the day. Getting sufficient rest can also help you lower your risk of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. You should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night and follow a regular sleep schedule.
Why Reducing Stress in Your Life is Important
Stress can be good or bad. It is a feeling of pressure or tension that results from challenging or demanding situations. Many Christians suffer from stress because of financial and relationship issues. The Lord said we should be anxious for nothing, but we still get anxious. Stress can have negative effects on your health and well-being if it is not managed properly. It can cause headaches, strokes, insomnia, stomach problems, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity. Stress can also affect your emotions, behavior, and relationships. You can reduce stress by identifying the sources of stress in your life and finding ways to cope with them. You can also reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Faith in God’s word is important and using positive affirmations, including Bible verses, is very helpful. As the Lord says great peace we will have if we keep our minds on Him, so let us keep Jesus always at the forefront of our minds.
I like humor, so I watch a lot of comedies, plays, and movies regularly. During the workday, I take a few breaks to watch sports and humorous YouTube Shorts and videos. These serve as a mental break for me. It’s like taking a vacation during the work year. Even though they last only a few minutes, my mood changes, and I feel refreshed, and more relaxed. Laughter is an important part of my personality, so I make sure to get plenty of it. I guess I am applying Proverbs 17:22, which tells us that laughter is good for the mind and body. Popular Pentecostal preacher, Bishop Noel Jones, published a book titled, “God’s Gonna Make You Laugh …”. It is important to take a few minutes to lighten up each day regardless of how busy you are.
My Friend’s Fight for Her Life
When my friend Yvonne was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, she was in denial at first. The doctor had told her that she had only three more months to live, and after getting confirmation from a second doctor, she decided that she would fight for her health. Fight she did! She bought Health books read them, and did a lot of research and self-help while still consulting her doctors and following their advice. This helped her to avoid many of the side effects of the medications she took and to live a much longer and healthier life. When she did not suffer the side effects that were expected the doctors asked her to tell them what she was doing differently. You see, she was having far better results than people with her condition for the same time and were taking the same medications. She was relentless in fighting for her health and her life. About ten years into her journey her oncologist told her that he was amazed at the good health she had. At that point, she was more than 9 years beyond what the medical professionals had expected. All six suggestions given here were areas that she focused on.
You Are Being Called to Take Action
Christians, we need to incorporate these habits into our healthy life journey. Remember our bodies are the temple of the Lord, so we are to take good care of our bodies not only spiritually, but mentally, physically, and emotionally. You can make gradual changes and keep doing these activities until they become habits. Do not accept excuses from yourself otherwise one day it will be too late. Hold yourself accountable to do what you need to. You can work on these changes alone, with your spouse, an exercise partner, or a small group. Do whatever works best for you based on your schedule, commitments, and responsibilities. The important thing is to stick to the task of achieving your health goals. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
Disclaimer: Any information on diseases and treatments available via this blog is intended for information purposes only and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals.