As you probably know, I give a lot of information about the 5 things I consider most important, that help give us health and give us more calm in our lives.

In case you’re not familiar with them, I consider those five things to be:

1.     Nutrition

2.     Management of Stress

3.     Quality Sleep

4.     Regular Exercise

5.     Quality Relationships.

To those five, I now unofficially add:

6.     Toxin Management.

I truly believe each of these is vitally important, and I believe they ALL work together, so leaving off just one of those, impairs them all—and impairs our health.

My thoughts on these Health Pillars:

Nutrition:  I’m not dogmatic about “what to eat”, but I’m pretty firm on what NOT to eat.  No sugar, no, or very little gluten (none is better and could make a total difference in your health), no ultraprocessed food, no vegetable oils or seed oils (canola, etc.).  Organic food is best when possible.  Locally raised meat, eggs, etc. is best.

Management of Stress: “Stress can kill you” —it’s true.  We need “down time”.  We need to take breaks during the day.  To breathe.  To be thankful.  To STOP problem-solving for a few moments.  Meditation is good.  Stopping and being still, and just paying attention to your breath is good.  Rest when you’re tired.  Don’t “run wide open” full-time.  “Stress can kill you”

Quality Sleep:  At least 7 hours.  Under 6 hours is sleep-deprived.  You can think better, perform better, and be more “yourself” if you have enough sleep.  During our deep sleep, our muscles, etc. refresh to get ready to work the next day.  Our brain sweeps out the previous day’s clutter and prepares for the new day’s work.

Regular Exercise: Improves our mood, usually immediately (better than a pill); helps with weight; helps with a reduced risk of disease; helps you sleep better; improves brain function; improves bone strength; improves heart health; improves long-term mental health.  Also improves our immune system and lowers blood sugar. 

Quality Relationships: Strong relationships = Strong health.  Research shows if you have quality relationships you will be less responsive to psychological stress; usually these relationships promote a greater sense of purpose, and promote a longer life (Northwestern Medical).  It promotes lower blood pressure (less stress), strengthens our immune system and heart health.

I also add Toxins to this list because household and yard toxins, and in the utensils we use, and the food we eat, even though it may be small percentages here and there, they add up to a “Toxic Burden” which lowers our immune system and robs us of energy and “Life”, and hinders our health in many complicated ways.

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To these all-important health factors, I came up with a list of 5 things to “speak LIFE over” which I thought were excellent things to consider for our health.  It’s based more in the realm of Faith, but I believe it totally involves our “health”.

1.     Speak Life over your Finances.  God will supply.  (Phil. 4:19)

2.     Speak Life over your Marriage (if married). Unity will be strong. (Eph. 5:31)

3.     Speak Life over your Family.  My household is blessed. (Joshua 24:15)

4.     Speak Life over your Health.  God can help us to be healthy.  (Jer. 30:17)

5.     Speak Life over your Future.  God will lead me forward (Jer. 29:11)

And I feel compelled to add one more:

6.     Speak Life over your Peace.  God gives us peace. (John 14:27)

My thoughts on these Life Factors:

Finances:  When you need that extra bit for a repair, or an unexpected expense, do you feel comfortable asking God to help you out with a small miracle?  He’s helped me out of scrapes like that time and time again through the years.  And I believe as He blesses us spiritually, He can also bless us in all ways, including our finances—so we can more easily help others.

Phillipians 4:19.  But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Jesus Christ.

Marriage:  God can definitely bless in tough moments in our marriage, and He can also increase the strength of our love, and help us grow our love together as we age.

Ephesians 5:31-33.  …and they two shall be one flesh.  This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Family:  Oh, our Precious Family needs our prayers for sure.  God can bless each one, and help us each to feel His Love and the “binding together” that only He can knit together.  When some go astray, we can trust in His Love. 

Joshua 24:15(b).  …as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.

Health:  He can bless our health as we do the things we know to do, to care for our bodies and minds.  He wants us to be healthy and strong.  We can ask Him for help with our health, and He will help us.

Jeremiah 30:17.  But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. And

Proverbs 17:22.  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  And

Exodus 23:25.  You must serve the Lord your God.  If you do this, I will bless you with plenty of bread and water.  I will take away all sickness from you.

Future:  He has us in the palm of His hand; and He knows our future already.  The hard times we go through, are possibly His giving us strength-training for our future.

Jeremiah 29:11.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, smith the Lord; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

And the Sixth one, our Peace and Calm:  We definitely want His blessing to be able to be resilient in this world and live fully in the spot we find ourselves in.  Others watch us, and we can be a great influence to help others be peaceful and calm in this frantic world we find ourselves living in.

John 14:27.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. And

Psalm 4:8.   In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone Lord, make me dwell in safety.

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If we want to make changes in our lives, first realize this: Any Change may be difficult.  But in order for our lives to be different, we must make some changes.

It’s best not to tackle all categories of health at one time, so that you won’t be overwhelmed.  One small change at a time almost always makes a big difference.

On the “Life” categories, that’s different.  In each case, we just trust God to bless that portion of our life.  What our job is, is to Trust His Word.

If you need any help with the Health Categories, just let me know.

If you need any help with the Life Categories, I can help you there too.

My prayer is that you allow yourself to Grow in your physical life, and to Grow in your Faith-Life.

To Your Growth in Your Life, changes and all!

And don’t forget to be thankful. 

I thank God for leading me through my own health challenges in years past, and helping me believe “Health” could be my answer.

I thank Him for blessing my life, and for giving me Goals for the future.

Thank you for reading.

Sharon