Embracing Holistic Health: Body, Mind & Spirit

In today's fast-paced world, with the demands of home, work, relationships, and various tasks vying for our attention, we often focus on everything but our own well-being. True health extends beyond just the physical realm and encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. Having a holistic mindset to our health helps us see how our physical health is connected to our mental and spiritual health. Each of these aspects of our health influence and combine together for overall health. Join me in this exploration, as we learn to nurture our body, mind, and spirit on our journey toward balanced, healthy living.

The Physical Component

Since our physical health is what most of us would think of when assessing if we are healthy, we will start here. We will live in these physical bodies until the day we die, so it’s important to take care of them. This has been the hardest area for me personally to make a priority. I love to exercise and work-out, so that’s not the problem for me, watching what I eat is my problem. However, since we are thinking holistically about it, they are connected. Have you heard that you can’t out-exercise a bad diet? That is so true. Eating a balanced, whole foods diet is key to improving or maintaining your physical health. For me right now, that includes abstaining from sugar for 40 days to help me prioritize healthy eating. Regular exercise goes right along with that. Regular cardiovascular workouts and resistance workouts (especially important as we age) are both vital parts of our physical health. How often do you exercise? It doesn’t have to be at a gym. Going for a brisk walk for 20 minute counts! Doing exercises holding a can of beans or water bottles is “weight-lifting!” One other piece of the physical component that I am going to mention is getting adequate rest. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night is so important to your overall health. Your body needs rest to repair and heal.

The Mental Component

Our mental health affects every area of our life. What you think about, worry about, stress about, all affect your physical health. One of my favorite verses for helping me when my mental health is not doing well is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” It is easier said than done, but reminding ourselves of this can help us turn the corner on stress, worry and anxiety. I was having coffee with a friend this morning, and she mentioned how going outside for a walk really helps her with her mental health. As I thought about it, I realized that it is true for me as well. Getting outside, moving our bodies, and having some time to think and process is beneficial for our mental health.

The Spiritual Component

As a Christian, I believe that God created us to be integrated whole beings. Who He created me to be is a whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Just as I need to nourish my physical body by healthy eating and physical exercise, I need to nourish my body spiritually by spending time in God’s Word, praying, and serving others. My morning routine is pretty set in stone these days: get up, put on workout clothes, make coffee, drink coffee and read the Verse of the Day and the Prayer prompt on the YouVersion Bible App, then do my Bible reading (this year I’m going through the Bible chronologically). Once I am done with my Bible reading, I head to the garage to workout. After my workout and shower, I’ll get to my Bible study. Right now I am leading a study through the book of Numbers, so I’ll do my homework for that and any extra deep dives that I feel will help me and the ladies in the group get more out of the study. I am constantly talking to the Lord and praying throughout my day. No matter what is going on around me, being grounded by the truths I have read and studies help me stay focused on God and His plan for my life, resulting in purpose, peace and hope.

It’s All Connected

As I said above, we are integrated whole beings, and each aspect of our physical, mental, and spiritual health are interconnected and influence one another. Have you ever noticed how if you are feeling down, you don’t want to do any physical activity? But, if you decide to exercise anyway, do you end up feeling mentally and physically better? Or, you are feeling disconnected spiritually, but you open your Bible because you know you should, and God gives you just the verse and encouragement you need to feel better spiritually and mentally?

Practical Steps for Embracing Holistic Health

Let’s continue on our journey toward balanced living by embracing holistic health. Which area: physical, mental or spiritual health do you need to work on to improve your overall health? What steps can you take, starting right now, to improve that area?

-Maybe it’s making a commitment to eat healthier, stop snacking, or cut out excess sugar.

-Maybe it’s committing to exercising on a regular basis, or adding in a new fitness goal to keep you motivated.

-Maybe it’s adding a Bible reading plan, or asking a friend to join you in a Bible reading plan or Bible study.

-Maybe it’s reminding yourself that you are created by a God who loves you and has a purpose and plan for your life.

-Maybe it’s journaling your anxious thoughts and then writing out Scriptures to combat those anxious thoughts.

Whatever action step you take, I hope that this post has inspired you to think holistically about your health and prioritize being a whole, healthy person - physically, mentally and spiritually. When you are taking care of those three aspects of your life, you are better able to handle all the demands that are placed on you. Let me know in the comments which aspect of your health you’re going to focus on next.