Proper nutrition is needed for cellular development and replacement and plant nutrition provides all necessary nutrients in the proper ratios for the body to utilize without being too much.

How to begin:

Start by keeping a food and beverage diary. Focus on 1 priority per week. What are the foods that are the best for you? What are the foods that are the worst for you? Focus on eating the rainbow and eliminating processed and “fast” foods.

Since the beginning of time, the human body was created for movement, but with disease has come immobility and a loss of vitality. Adequate, well tolerated exercise will help the body to prevent health issues and lessen factors which can lead to dis-ease (an instability of the body’s natural balance)

How to begin:

Begin a movement program. This will look different depending on your baseline activity level, but it could be as simple as getting up every hour to do a lap around the house. If you are already active at your baseline, evaluate your fitness level and plan to “up the ante” by making small, attainable goals for yourself each week.

Our bodies are over 70% water and require water to be continually replenished in order for it to be able to function properly.

How to begin:

Focus on tracking your fluid intake at first, but once you’ve established your baseline intake, set about increasing your water intake until you hit your goal of consistently consuming at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day.

Essential for optimal Vitamin D levels which contribute to skeletal and overall systemic integrity and function.

How to begin:

Even 15 minutes per day of sunlight exposure is enough to maintain Vitamin D levels. If 15 minutes is too much, set a goal to get outside for a few minutes at a time and as you look up to the sky, close your eyes and bask in the sun for a minute or two. Those minutes add up quickly and before you know it, you will be getting your 10-15 minutes per day without issue.

Avoidance of all harmful practices and moderation in healthful practices.

How to begin:

This is the overarching goal underlying each of the health principles here listed (except Trust in God). In order to achieve temperance, practice mindfulness. Take stock of what you spend your time doing. If you are a TV watcher, cut this back by an hour a day. Same for any practices which are diverting your time away from what is most important in life.

All living beings, creatures, etc. require air to continue living. A lack of oxygen shuts down all vital organs and will eventually lead to death if not corrected.

How to begin:

Fresh air is essential for health. If you work in an office, set a goal to take an “air break” at the top of the hour. Get outside and breathe in slow, deep, cleansing breaths, away from as much smog and air pollution as you can. If this is not your issue, and you have the blessing of working outside, take that time at the beginning of the hour to practice purposeful breathing. Train yourself to take slow, deep breaths. This helps to assure the body is getting good oxygen flow and providing that essential component to each organ and cell within the body.

Imperative for optimal health because the body need to be able to heal and rebuild. This is a daily rest (as in sleep), but also a weekly rest which has been appointed us to reconnect with God and our fellow man. God has given us His Sabbath (Saturday) which is a time we can pull aside from the hustle and bustle in the world and commune with our Creator.

How to begin:

Set a schedule. Shut down the computer/tablet/phone/electronics in general no less than 2 hours before bed. Set a schedule as to what time you will be going to bed and waking up. Practice keeping the Sabbath by taking Saturday and avoiding any “chores” or “errands.” Spend time with the Creator and with friends and family who can support your health and wellness journey. God promises blessings to those who choose to put Him first. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Without God, we can do nothing and often, our physical maladies are the result of a disconnect with our Creator and sin in our lives. As we turn back to our Creator, we are healed spiritually, and this reconnection will allow our bodies to begin to heal as well.

How to begin:

God is the end all be all. Without Him we have nothing. Spend purposeful time with Him at the beginning and end of the day. Talk to Him as you would a good friend. I can assure you, He will be the best Friend you will ever have. As you start small, your time will grow as you become closer to Him.