Why Live Better?

Hey, everyone!  It is a new year, and I am doing something that I have wanted to do for a long time--create a wellness blog!!   I strongly believe in living life to the fullest--this includes not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.  Having said that, this blog will include anything from weekly nutrition challenges to fitness tips all the way to spiritual inspiration.  I will be using my knowledge as a Nutrition & Dietetics student to create new recipes once a month to post for you all to see and try!  I would love to read your comments as well.

Let's begin the first official "post" with something uplifting--something that can encourage all the aspects of wellness: physical, mental, and spiritual.

What does this mean to you?  

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength"--Proverbs 17:22. 

When I think about a cheerful heart, I think about things that make one happy.  Happiness is in the eye of the beholder, so many people have told me.  To me, this verse says that we need to have a happy, cheerful heart in order to live the way God wants us to live.  God does not want us to be miserable with a "broken spirit", so He calls us to take care of our bodies.  

We know from research that exercising releases endorphins which are the "happy" hormones.  These hormones are our natural pain killers.  If having a cheerful heart is good medicine, then we should be making our hearts cheerful by getting out and moving at least 30 minutes a day, whether it be for a walk, jog, workout, group fitness class, or sport.  Physical activity not only helps your body physically, but mentally as well.  Have you ever been stressed to the max and did not know how to be happy again?  Exercise can calm down your nerves resulting in a happier and healthier you!  A key aspect in fitness is finding what you enjoy doing.  If you do something you like, then you are more likely to keep doing it.  

Do something for you today that can hit all three of these elements: physical, mental, and spiritual.  If times get tough, think about this verse and know that God can help you strengthen all areas of wellness.  

References: 

Bible NLT, Translation TNL, Translation NL.  The Holy Bible: New Living Translation.  Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers; July 1, 1997.