When last have you paid attention to your entire being – your body, your mind and your spirit? Are you aware that paying attention to your entire being is important? Do you know that all three of them – your body, your mind and your spirit are all interconnected? Well, they are, so a change in one impacts the other.
To be in complete health and harmony, our entire being needs to be in balance. When one of these factors is off balance, our whole body will feel it on some level. You see, we are all multi-dimensional beings, so it only makes sense to nurture and care for every part of what makes us human. So, when we view health holistically, true healing and balance can be achieved.
According to the Bible, mankind is distinct from the rest of creation, including the animals, in that mankind is made in the image of God. As God is tripartite – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – so man is three parts – body, soul and spirit. Each one is distinct and plays a special role. It is by our body that we function. It is the vessel in which we move through the world. When the body is in balance, it becomes easier to express our soul, clear our mind and fulfil our purpose. When out of balance, however, it can lead to physical symptoms and weakened immunity.
Physical fitness gets plenty of attention, but mental fitness is just as important and should not be neglected. The mind is the centre of our thinking. It drives our decision-making. The mind is spiritual in nature. The mind is a very powerful tool. It is through this “spiritual” connection, enabled by the power of the subconscious mind to attune with Universal Consciousness or Higher Power, that true wisdom, knowledge and power are attained. Hence, when it is out of balance, it can lead to worry, anxiety, fear and withdrawal. When in balance, however, our mind can help stimulate creativity, make decisions, enhance our intuition and provide the drive and motivation to get things done.
The spirit is the energy or life force that lives within all of us. It is through our spirit that we have communion and fellowship with God. When we die, it is our spirit body that leaves this earth, not our physical body. Our spirit body is very powerful and can never be destroyed. The primary purpose of the spirit body is to grow and evolve. While it can’t be destroyed, it can be transformed, shifted and changed. When our spirit is healthy, our body is healthier, our brain is healthier, and our relationships are healthier. Our entire soul is healthier.
Hence, it is important that we take care of all three of them – our body, mind and spirit and keep them in balance. If it is your desire, here are some suggestions to help you:
Get some exercise: One of the best things we can do for our body is to move it. Exercise has many health benefits: It improves brain function; it increases energy levels; it improves muscle strength; it helps us to maintain a healthy weight and it enhances our immune system and much more.
Get some sleep: Sleep is regenerative for our bodies. The more sleep we get the better we will perform on a daily basis. We can take better care of ourselves just by making sure we get enough sleep each night. Sleep deprivation has been linked to some diseases, and a whole host of other maladies that affect our quality of life.
Watch what we eat: The best thing we can do for our body every day is to nourish it. Eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water is not only healthier for our body, but also it nourishes the mind.
Spend time with yourself: Focus on solutions to your worries instead of fixating on the problem. Do something nice for yourself at least once a week. You deserve some time for yourself and the things you really enjoy. You can use your “me time” to reconnect with God and yourself. Maintaining that relationship is vital.
Master the art of self-reflection: Set some time aside each day to rest your mind. Take a few moments to reflect on your life and your goals. Focus on the positive things in your life – think about what is working for you now and be grateful. It is also important to use that time for forgiving others as well as yourself. This is necessary in order for you to let go and move forward with your life.
Spend time in meditation or prayer: Spending time in meditation or prayer allows you to let go and connect with your creator. Having that connection helps you not only to put your thoughts into perspective, but also to ease any sense of aloneness you might be feeling. Consistent meditation will help put you at peace.
Do random acts of kindness: Practicing simple acts of kindness will bring joy to those you are being kind to, and yourself. The best acts are those you do secretly with no expectations of a thank you. You will be amazed at the impact these simple ways can make on the quality of your life.
Some people focus too much on the physical dimension, on getting fit and having a great physical body, and on physical appearances, but they don’t know or sometimes neglect the fact that the body is not all that constitutes a human being. In fact, our body is not the most essential thing. It is the vehicle that carries what is essential. As the Bible says, the body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, only when we learn to nurture our body, mind and spirit and keep them in balance, can we become more complete and live more fully.
The Body, Mind, and Spirit, all combine, to make the Creature, Human and Divine. Health is a state of body. Wellness is a state of being.
Remember: “You can’t really love someone unless you really love yourself first” (Fred Rogers).
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 2. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
