Eating often represents good times, friends, getting out of the house, or family get-togethers.
But should the content of our food be thought about at all—or is taste the only criteria?
The fact is, eating intelligently does matter. What we eat affects us a lot. Our lifestyle and diet contribute to sickness and disease, and also affect our mood, our ability to handle stress, and our general well-being. And taste is not always a good indicator of healthy food.
We were created for action. Exercise provides greater vitality, extra energy, and longer life. Yet, for many, the greatest exertion of the day is getting out of bed, or walking from the kitchen to the garage.
We must deliberately incorporate physical activity into our lives to prevent sedentary habits from taking over. We live in a push-button society. It wasn't too many years ago that humankind walked a great deal more, chopped wood, tended gardens for food, and worked physically for a living. In past ages, people may have overworked their bodies, but exercise was not a major concern. Today, exercise is one of the most discussed but least practiced subjects.
When we do not exercise, or get too little of it, our bodies suffer. Inaction of any of the organs of the body will result in a decrease in organ size, less muscle strength, and sluggish circulation of the blood.
Exercise is very important for every human body. A lack of exercise greatly impairs and reduces bodily functions.
Water is an all-purpose cleanser both inside and out of the body. It is an abundant and effective agent for washing away dirt, germs, and bacteria. All our tissues, vital fluids, and secretions contain a large percentage of water. Water is of great importance in maintaining health. It is the basic component of all existing things.
A glass of water acts as a bath for the digestive system, cleansing and refreshing it. If we could follow the stream of water into the hidden places of our bodies, we would see it washing away the poisons in the blood that are circulating through the kidneys. The kidneys must work harder if the body doesn't get enough water.
Sunlight has had some bad publicity recently. The impression has been given that even small amounts of sun are harmful. While it is true that excessive sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer and cataracts, sun in moderate amounts has many benefits.
Without sunlight, life as we know it could not exist. Fruits and vegetables that receive the direct rays of the sun grow much better than those that are exposed to artificial light. This also applies to humans. Those that do not get a sufficient amount of sunshine experience poorer health. Those who are daily exposed to the vitalizing effect of the sun's rays have a ruddy complexion and more vibrant health. Sunshine is the most natural and effective antiseptic available to us. Sunshine is also one of the most effective healing agents known.
The sun unlocks the vitamins in food. Without the sun's rays, we could not get the full value from our food. The sun's rays gives plants the ability, through a process known as photosynthesis, to take carbon dioxide and oxygen from the air and combine these into the basic food substances by which all things live. This is done by chlorophyll, the green substance in the leaves of the plants. We are unable to duplicate, or even fully understand, this process. Energy from the sun's rays also act on certain substances in the skin, changing them to vitamin D, one of the essential vitamins to the body.
As Francis E. Willard wrote, “Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul.” It is God-given because it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). God leads us to develop this fruit. Peter tells us to give all diligence to add it to our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8). The result will be a godly balance in all areas of our lives.
Our culture is out of balance. For example, many eat until they can barely get up from the table. The adult stomach will comfortably accommodate only one quart of food and drink. Eat more than this, and it will stretch abnormally large. Blood supplying the needs of the body, especially the brain, will divert to the stomach for a prolonged period. This results in a sleepy feeling after a big meal. This also leads to becoming cranky, tired, or not able to think clearly. Temperance would prevent all this.
More than our physical appetites, temperance deals with our minds and morals. Many believe trying everything once is practicing temperance—but many things are a sin to try even once, such as brain-destroying drugs or promiscuous sex. Practicing temperance rewards us with mental and moral vigor.
For healthy living, we must abstain from everything God says is harmful, using what is beneficial only as far as God instructs.
Air is the most vital element for humans and animals. We could survive for weeks without food, or days without water, but deprived of air, we would perish within minutes.
The human body must have oxygen; each of its 100 trillion cells must receive steady, fresh supplies to survive. Every day, you take more than 17,000 breaths to keep your body fueled. The heart sends blood to the lungs where it drops off carbon dioxide for elimination and picks up fresh oxygen for delivery to every cell in the body.
Fresh air has many health benefits. It improves the brain's ability to function, gives clarity to the mind, improves concentration, and boosts learning abilities. It gives a sense of happiness and well-being by altering brain levels of serotonin. It promotes quality sleep, and kills bacteria and viruses in the air. Pollution causes air to lose these capabilities.
It is impossible to grow either physically or intellectually without rest. Work is an energy expending process. Rest following work is a building up and growing process. In these days of speed we seek concentrated excitement, concentrated activity, and concentrated business. We are constantly trying to beat time—to do more work in less time. This may make for worldly gain but it surely does not make for growth. Instead it tends to dwarf us, sapping our power.
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During the day, the chief work of the body is done, but during the night, the body is revived, the muscles are built up, the brain tissue is restored, and the nerves are recharged. For growth and health, a sufficient amount of leisure and rest is essential.
When the body is deprived of sleep, it is unable to rebuild and recharge itself adequately. There is an increase in irritability, while creativity, concentration, and efficiency suffer.
Sleep deprivation impairs judgment, causing values and priorities to change. Continued loss of sleep can result in exhaustion, depression, delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. Losing as little three hours of sleep in a single night can cut the effectiveness of your immune system in half.
What do faith, religion, and trust in God have to do with health? Throughout this website, we refer to God's plans for your health, and the blessings derived from observing them. Is there any correlation between trust in God and our health? Actually, the list of connections is extensive.
Research has shown that spirituality helps to control stress, strengthen the immune system, and protect against heart disease and cancer. Beyond these benefits, God promises eternal life to those who trust Him—a life of perfect health and freedom from pain, fear, and death.
But can we trust God? Does He even exist? And if so, does He care about us personally? Before you can trust anyone—God or human—you have to get to know them, observe their personality and character, communicate and interact with them, and consider how they treat others. Before you can trust God, you need to become acquainted; talk, listen, and work with Him; investigate how He deals with His children. He longs to develop a close personal relationship with you. He invites you to come to Him on a daily basis and learn of Him.
