To feel good, we must consciously take care of our health. It is not just about feeling good, but we are called to take care of our physical bodies. Paul reminds us: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God in your body!” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Let's talk about eight principles that, if followed, will help us on our journey to feeling better.
Step 1: Nutrition
The food we eat affects how we feel and how we can enjoy life. So, a good and varied diet is important. Originally, fruits, seeds, and nuts were the only food for humans. “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the whole earth, and every tree yielding fruit with seed in it; to you it shall be for food.’” Genesis 1:29 All other foods were added later. The best food for us today is still a plant-based diet. This means that plant foods should make up the majority of our diet, and other food sources should be a minority.
Plant-based foods should make up the bulk of our diet, and other food sources should be in the minority.
A simple plate rule helps here:
- various salads or cooked vegetables should make up at least half of the plate;
- Protein-rich foods, such as fish, (poultry) meat, cottage cheese, legumes, etc., should make up about a quarter of the plate;
- side dish, such as buckwheat, potatoes, rice, the remaining quarter of the plate.
Step 2: Physical activity
Our bodies are designed to move. Being physically fit means being able to carry out our daily responsibilities and having energy for our family and leisure activities. Daily physical activity helps to achieve this physical fitness. You don’t have to think big to start – just take a brisk 30-minute walk every day. Maybe you’ll skip a few car or bus rides and walk to your destination.
Step 3: Water
Water is essential for life. We lose water from our bodies all the time through urine, sweating, and even breathing! It is important to make sure that the body gets water back. How much do you need to drink? It depends on the climate you live in, your age, and your physical activity level. It is important to remember that if you need to drink, it should be water. Lemonade and other sweetened drinks are not a good choice.
Step 4: Sun
Not everyone may think of sunshine as something that affects their health. However, we have all experienced the debilitating effects of a long, dark winter, which often robs people of their joy. The sun helps your body produce vitamin D. It controls hormones, cell growth, and helps your body absorb and use calcium. Vitamin D contributes to the development of a healthy immune system and nervous system. So, getting plenty of sun exposure is very important. Too much of a good thing is not good – too much sun can cause skin cancer and “contributes” to skin aging. So, everything should be done in moderation.
Step 5: Moderation
A moderate lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle. Of course, this does not mean the principle of “everything in moderation.” Rather, we mean that we calmly add good things and habits to our lives and avoid everything that destroys health. Moderation is a lifestyle that increases the quality of life.
For example: overeating leads to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach and a general feeling of being unwell, undereating leads to the body being deprived of essential nutrients. Overworking leads to exhaustion and can lead to accidents. Underworking and not moving yourself leads to laziness and loss of muscle tone.
Moderation is the key to a happy and fulfilling life.
Step 6: Air
Air is of course essential. After all, we can only live for a few minutes without breathing. The quality of the air we breathe is also important. Air pollution causes disease and early death. Here we can also recall the dangers of passive smoking – when you inhale tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can also increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and other health problems.
Not everyone can choose to live in an area with better air or even in the countryside. It's also good if you regularly find time to walk in nature and breathe in the clean, fresh air there.
Step 7: Rest
Studies show that the average adult needs eight hours of sleep to function effectively. We may tell ourselves we can do with less, but sleep deprivation is a serious problem in today's society. In addition to getting a good night's sleep, we can also enjoy the seventh day God gave us to rest and get away from the worries of everyday life.
Step 8: Trusting God
Mental health is even more important to our overall well-being than physical health. Stress, worry, and guilt sap your vitality and cause illness. Trusting in God gives meaning to life and helps you overcome the negative effects of worry and stress. You can build trust in God gradually by reading His Word and getting to know Him better. “…but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Trusting in God is a vital aspect of achieving good health.
Mental health is even more important than physical health for our overall well-being.
Summary
These eight steps may seem simple, but they are powerful. Try to apply them to your daily life and you will feel the difference! Over the next eight issues of the magazine, we will talk about each step in more detail.
Source used:
https://www.hfl.tv/steps-to-health
