A few months ago, my husband, Mark, and I were visiting our daughter, her husband, and our granddaughter, Millie, for a long weekend. Since we live so far apart and our visits are not as often as we would like them to be, Mark and I jumped at the chance when they asked us if we wanted to take Millie to her gymnastics class.
We were thrilled to do so, anticipating being able to watch this feisty and energetic 2-year-old tumble and jump with her classmates. When we got there, however, we discovered that “class” actually meant open gym for kids her age with adult supervision and participation. Excuse me. What? And, of course, this was the day that Millie wanted nothing to do with her grandpa. Today, the task was going to fall to me. Suddenly, this out of shape grandma found herself jumping on a giant trampoline, rolling around and climbing on mats, and then jumping some more. We played for a solid 45 minutes.
By the end of the gym time, my body was screaming and clearly reminding me that I needed to hit the gym more when I got home. My body felt broken, but my spirit was overwhelmingly filled with joy.
A Three-Legged Stool
The pain and joy that I simultaneously felt was not something new to me. I had experienced it after I completed my first half marathon and again following a workout with my 23-year-old son. The exhaustion of trying to keep up with him paled in comparison to the joy I felt knowing that my adult son was willing to spend time with his mom at the gym. Knowing that I was doing something to stay healthy was important, but the feelings of joy and fulfillment are what have stuck with me.
Yet, often, it is that aspect that gets overlooked when it comes to our health. We home in on the physical and mental pieces and forget that feeding our spirit is just as much an important part of our health journey. Like a three-legged stool, if you take one leg away, it can’t stand. You need all three for balance.
Finding Joy
I’m not suggesting that everyone go out and start jumping on a trampoline like I did, but there are ways—simple ways—that you can feed your whole self and not forget your spirit. For instance, did you know that research has shown that 10 to 15 minutes of heavy laughter can burn between 10 and 40 calories? It’s not as effective as a walk, but it’s something that will feed your whole self. If you do go for a walk, instead of shutting off the world with headphones or getting caught up in everything that’s swimming around in your mind, find somewhere to walk where you are able to take in the sounds of nature. See if a friend wants to walk with you. In addition to catching up with someone you care about, you get the added benefit of physical exercise.
There are a lot of ways that we can feed our bodies, minds, and spirit. We just have to remember to keep them in balance. We need all three to be fulfilled.
Sidebar: Take Care of Yourself
“Oh, sure, I’d love to exercise,” my patient says at her wellness visit. “But there’s just no time.” Between work, family, and her ever-present to-do list, she felt that taking care of herself was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
She’s not alone. A news release from the World Health Organization on June 26, 2024, noted that nearly one-third of adults don’t get enough exercise. Many patients in my medical practice report mindsets and time limitations that prevent them from making consistently healthy choices.
But is self-care a luxury? Not if you consider the number of chronic health conditions affected by lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes is a good example; for many people, it can be prevented by a healthy diet and regular exercise. Obesity is another example and can cause arthritis and breathing problems. A high-fat diet increases the risk of heart attack and stroke; smoking causes lung cancer and COPD; excess alcohol intake increases the risk of breast cancer and liver disease.
Being sedentary increases the risk of depression, and chronic lack of sleep increases blood pressure and negatively affects mood. Even Jesus took time to take care of himself and encouraged the apostles to do the same.
Honoring Ourselves
When we are at our best, we are most able to carry out the work God has given us with energy and joy. Remember the air flight instructions? In an emergency, put on your own oxygen mask before helping anyone else. We can’t take good care of others if we don’t take good care of ourselves first. In Matthew 22:39, we are told to love others as we love ourselves, but how can we do that if we don’t treat ourselves with love?
However, we shouldn’t make healthy choices just so we can take care of other people. God created us in his image, and that gift deserves to be cared for and respected. St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are not our own. Jesus paid for them with his life so that at the end of the world, those bodies will resurrect and join him in heaven.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:19–20).
Start Small
So where does a busy modern adult even start? We’ve all heard the answer so many times that it seems too good to be true: with small commitments. Pick one, make it a habit, then pick another, and so on.
Instead of cutting out certain foods, try adding more vegetables. Instead of jumping into a complicated exercise program, start by increasing movement throughout your day. Decide to drink more water, go to bed on time, or practice mindfulness. The choice is yours, but as you accomplish each goal, your enthusiasm for the next one will grow.
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). —Colleen Arnold, MD
