"I wish above all things that you mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
- 3 John 2 -
Did you know there are 8 Health Doctors that you can follow to increase your health, your energy, and your wellbeing?!
The foods we eat have a great impact on our health. Major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, strokes, and depression are caused largely by what we eat. Processed & refined foods and fast foods make up a large part of many people’s diets. They are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, sugar, harmful chemicals, and calories. They are also very low in fiber and do not provide the nutrition our bodies need so we get hungry an hour or two after eating a big meal.
Raw fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients and fiber and one or the other should be eaten at the beginning of each meal. Nuts, Beans, and legumes are also packed with nutrition and should be eaten frequently. The nuts should be raw (not roasted or salted) and consumed in smaller quantities. Whole grains are an important energy source for our brains and bodies and should replace the white flour foods in the diet. These foods will satisfy your hunger, boost your energy, and help you to obtain your optimal weight. They also help prevent disease.
Most people rust out rather than wear out! Exercise increases circulation and brings a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients to those achy joints. It helps lower blood pressure, decreases cholesterol and triglycerides, lowers blood sugar levels, burns body fat, boosts the immune system, improves mood, and helps us sleep better.
Walking is one of the best exercises. It is beneficial to every part of the body. Walking in the open air helps to preserve health and is one of the most efficient remedies for recovery of health. Start your day with an early morning walk when the air is most pure. It is also very beneficial to take a walk after meals. A moderate paced walk will aid the work of digestion and helps bring down blood sugar levels.
In health and in sickness, pure water is one of Heaven’s choicest blessings. No other beverage is truly able to quench our thirst. Every cell in our body needs water to function properly. Water regulates blood pressure, temperature, hydration, and digestion. It transports nutrients to the cells and carries waste away from them. Water also cushions and lubricates the brain and joints.
The body is not able to store water for later use when we are not drinking enough. We need to replace what is lost through the lungs, skin, urine, and feces. In order for good health we should be drinking half our body weight in ounces of water daily. This amount increases if we are sweating a lot or drinking caffeinated beverages which cause water loss. If you are not used to drinking water, you will want to increase your water intake over a couple of weeks to allow your body to adjust.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…and sunshine boosts people’s moods and increases their energy. It does this by increasing serotonin levels. Vitamin D is essential for regulating the immune system and neuromuscular system. Certain cancers and autoimmune diseases have been linked to a Vitamin D deficiency. We need to have direct sun exposure in order to produce Vitamin D. Gradually work up to 30 to 60 minutes of sunlight exposure per day being careful not to burn yourself.
We live in a world that has supersized and overdone just about everything. Temperance is not a common word in our vocabulary. In order to have good health we must be temperate. To be temperate means using in moderation all things which are beneficial (good for us) and abstaining from anything that is not. Indulgence of appetite is one of the greatest causes of physical and mental debility and leads to premature death. We can greatly improve our health by not overeating at meals, avoiding snacking between meals, getting proper rest, not overworking, abstaining from alcohol, drugs, & tobacco…ect.
Fresh Air—your life depends on it! Many people breathe contaminated air every day and indoor air can be worse than outside! Lack of oxygen can make you feel sluggish, irritable, fatigued, stressed, or depressed. It can also cause headaches, lung disease, and reduced brain function. It is important to open blinds and let the sunshine in to decrease dampness in the home. Windows should also be opened in the bedroom to allow fresh air in. Houseplants can also help purify the air.
Getting outside early in the morning and taking deep breaths is very beneficial. Many of us do not fully expand our lungs when we breathe which limits the amount of oxygen we take in. When deep breathing, breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and then breathe out for 9 seconds. When you are breathing in your stomach should go out rather than your shoulders rising. Deep breathing throughout the day can help improve your memory, mental capacity, help you work more productively, and soothe your nerves. “Fresh air will purify the blood, refresh the body, and help to make it strong and healthy.” Christian Temperance P. 104
In today’s busy world people tend to skip needed sleep in order to finish all the day’s tasks. Average sleep time has declined by 20% in the last century, and fatigue is one of the most common complaints that brings people to the doctor. Skipping adequate sleep increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. Immune function is also decreased. We need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. During this time the brain is rested and renewed, memory improves, the immune system is recharged, hormones are produced and released, and healing takes place. The best and deepest sleep occurs before midnight. Each hour of sleep before midnight is equal to 2 hours after.
It is also important to take time away from the business of life and get out in nature. This type of rest is very relaxing and energizing.
There is only one Great Healer for all of our hurts, pains, and illnesses…God. One touch of His hand or word from His mouth transforms lives. He alone can give us the strength we need to make changes in our lives and give up habits which cause illness. We need to have faith in His promises and trust that God can help us overcome. The mind and body are closely connected and what we think affects our physical health. Studies show that simple trust can increase the life span by up to seven years!
If we are struggling with temptations with diet (sugar, fatty foods, caffeine, ect), alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other harmful things; even trying to get on an exercise routine or getting enough sleep, you can claim one of God’s promises. Write it out on an index card and recite it each time you are struggling. Some that have been helpful for us are:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Psalms 61:2,3 …when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as they soul prospereth.
God wants us to be healthy!
Perfect Health Requires Perfect Circulation
When we follow these simple, inexpensive principles we can experience the joy of health!