Nurture Your Health, Inside and Out

“The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I grew up in Ohio, where there are lots of dandelions in the summer. Although there are various ways to get rid of dandelions, the best way is to dig them out by the roots.

But digging isn’t fast or easy. Someone may try a shortcut, trying to rid their yard of these troublesome yellow weeds by simply picking the heads off the dandelions. Within a short time, the yard will look great. No more dandelions—at least not until they reemerge in a week or so!

I’ve found that many people use this same approach in trying to improve the troublesome areas of their lives. They sincerely want their “yard” to look better, but they don’t take time to deal with the true roots of their problems. When addressing a health issue, a load of debt, difficulty maintaining close relationships, an addiction, or a proneness to worry, they tend to skip right past the spiritual and emotional components. Like the unseen dandelion roots, these hidden causes lurk beneath the surface and do us harm.

You see, the first rule for maximizing your total health is to nurture yourself from the inside out. The roots of many physical, social and emotional problems are found in the deep places of the heart—in your spiritual life.

As a wellness nurse, I witnessed this unmistakable relationship between inner and outer health on a daily basis. Even though I often attempted to help people with issues such as obesity, diabetes, insomnia and high blood pressure, it became increasingly clear that these problems weren’t exclusively physical in nature.

For example, those struggling with obesity often must address the spiritual and emotional turmoil that prompts them to overeat. Several of my patients were able to significantly lower their blood pressure by taking time to attend meditation classes at the YMCA—where they could quiet their hearts and focus their minds on their spiritual life.

Likewise, researcher Kenneth Pelletier conducted a surprising five-year investigation of the health benefits that come from a life of altruism and the caring influence of family and friends. Amazingly, the absence of close, loving relationships posed a risk of disease just as significant as traditional risk factors such as adverse genetics, poor nutrition or a lack of exercise.

This means we must be good stewards not just of our physical makeup, but also of our mental, emotional, social and spiritual personhood. Although people may act as if all these parts act independently, they’re actually vitally connected. Each area is critically important and must be properly nurtured. If one area is neglected, it will have an adverse effect on the others.

Health is not automatic in any of these areas. It’s a choice—a matter of countless decisions we make every day. To enhance our overall wellness and keep fit spiritually, emotionally and physically, we need intentionality and self-discipline.

So, how do you maintain your spiritual health? For me, disciplines which play an important role in maintaining my spiritual health include prayer, meditation, study of the Bible and worship.

How can you enhance your mental and emotional health? I do this by journaling, talking with close friends, reading novels, and doing fun things like seeing movies (cinema therapy!), going to concerts, shopping, or getting my hair and nails done. I have also found it very therapeutic to play my guitar and write songs. Maybe you enjoy gardening, cooking, taking a bubble bath, playing video games, or engaging in some hobby that replenishes your emotional tank.

And what about keeping physically fit? So many people neglect this. But I’ve found that my spiritual and mental conditions are greatly enhanced when I also take care of my body. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating nutritious meals, reducing stress, and taking time for an exercise class or a brisk walk in the park are important ingredients in my overall well-being.

For more ideas and details about nurturing your physical, spiritual, and emotional health, visit my website at MyNutriNurse.com to get my free Wellness Plan Booklet. You can also go to ILiveTheSource.com

What about you?

•             Balance is an important part of a healthy life. Consider each of the following five areas, and determine on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest) how well you are doing in self-care:

Spiritual – Mental –Emotional –Social –Physical

To request a free Wellness Plan go to http://www.mynutrinurse.com/