Why we need to focus on all areas of health to heal
Our bodies are incredibly interconnected. This includes a gut-brain connection. I see so many women wanting to skip past the hard things like mindset and spiritual work. Trying to heal your gut or any other part of your body without a focus on your mindset, spiritual health and nervous system is like putting a bandaid on an infected wound. All these things impact your hormones and gut. Don’t skip on the mindset, spiritual and nervous system work.
If you feel like you’re getting nowhere with your health and overall wellbeing, or just want to start prioritizing caring for your nervous system, below are several recommended practices to help you start. Remember, you don’t have to enact all of these at once. Start with a couple that you feel would be most helpful to you, and you can always add on more as you feel able.
Reduce obligations. It may take some courage to say “no” more often and prioritize your spirit and health vs. feeling a compulsion to say “yes” all the time. In the same vein, avoid over-scheduling, procrastinating and unrealistic deadlines. Create space in your life. There is a difference between being busy and being fruitful; even Jesus took time to steal away, and God emphasized a sabbath. Being active in ministry is not a substitute for being holy, and lasting fruits do not grow in shallow soil.
Reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). That means less time on electronics.
Decrease your time on social media, blog rants, mainstream newscasts, etc., especially first thing in the mornings.
Spend more time with people who pour into you and refine you, especially prior to spending time with those who you find to be difficult or critical. Prioritize social connections.
Ask for help. God created other people because he knew we would need others to point us back to him, support us, have fun with us, cry with us, and walk through our daily lives with us.
Prioritize and improve your sleep. Go to bed earlier. Start to wind down sooner; that could mean putting your phone away an hour before bed, or even getting in bed 30 minutes before you’re ready to go to sleep.
Get early morning sunlight. This can look like going for a walk in your neighborhood, sitting on your apartment patio, or even eating your breakfast outside before heading to work.
Choose forms of exercise that bring you joy, social connection and/or make you stronger. Avoid over-exercising, as it can be more stressful. Even exercise as simple as stretching or a slow yoga flow can be great to help you slow down, appreciate your body, and recenter your focus for the day.
Actually take your lunch break, sit while eating and chew. Chewing your food improves your digestion. When you eat on the go, your body thinks it’s running. Why would it exert the energy to produce digestive secretions when it thinks you are being chased by a bear?
Sing, hum, laugh, gargle and breathe deeply. Doing these small things might not seem like much, but it gives our brains a chance to be playful and reset.
Practice gratitude more actively. This could look like journaling things for which you’re grateful, sharing those things verbally with someone, or even sharing those things with God as they come up.
Spend time doing hobbies you love. If you’re not sure what hobbies you enjoy, don’t be afraid to try new ones! Even if you don’t end up loving the new hobby, at least now you know and can try something else. Plus, you can have the satisfaction of knowing you branched out and tried something new. You’ll find a fun, new hobby to enjoy along the way!
Pray. Social connections with those around us are important, but our most important connection will always be God. Maybe you aren’t the most comfortable praying. Start small, and share with God some of the things from your day. You don’t always have to come to him with requests. God is our greatest friend, and we can talk to him as such.
I hope you’re encouraged to take the small steps toward the healthier life you want. Let me know which of the above activities you decide to try out, or if you come up with your own! And, for more ideas, you can connect with and follow me on Instagram!
