At Still Heart Hollow I am excited to share in our blog and resource pages information to strengthen our walk with Jesus and care for our body as God intended. Studies have shown that being in the Word daily decreases stress and anxiety. The Word is living and breathing offering a peace which transcends all understanding – 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 CSB) 

As the Word renews our mind and aligns our will with God, we are motivated to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

These are 3 basic habits I incorporate to nourish my body and soul.

Eating well

Eating well is eating healthy. There are many studies supporting a whole-foods, organic, and locally grown diet as beneficial to your health. Keeping sugars and processed foods at a minimum help in reducing inflammation promoting gut health. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grass-fed meats when possible is always ideal over processed foods. Of course, each person’s dietary needs are different but eating whole foods, grocery shopping on the outside aisles only, and shopping at your local farmer’s market, will start your New Year off right!

Sleep

Sleep is another factor many studies have shown affect all parts of our body and its health. As the amount of sleep will vary depending on each person it is generally recommended to get eight hours of sleep a night. I highly recommend spending the time this year to create a peaceful bedroom – declutter your space, invest in black out drapes or blinds, get rid of all white light as much as possible, and invest in sheets and sleeping wear that are breathable and 100% cotton. If possible, go to bed early and at the same time nightly, establishing a regular pattern of deeper sleep.

Exercise

Being physically active every day is critical. Any type of activity counts! My favorite activity that most everyone can do is walking. Of course, some people are restricted in this area. When I tore my ACL, I needed to find other ways of staying active. If you are able, walking requires no membership, can be done in most weather if dressed properly and clears the mind. Walking at lunch or breaks, taking the stairs when possible, parking further away from any entrance, taking proper care of your dog by exercising your pooch, or having walking meetings instead of coffee meetings are just a few suggestions. I love tracking my steps and keeping daily goals. My mom loved walking. We used to call her Forrest Gump ☺. For me, walking reduces my stress, reminds me of her, gives me more time to talk to God and reflect on His beautiful creation - Tennessee skies are amazing! Stretching and Pilates mat exercises are excellent ways to also reduce stress and calm the mind. 

Keep checking back for future blog posts. I am excited to share Pilates exercises and various stretching tools to help your body launch into 2024!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20