Feed the Body.
The body is the tool that our minds operate. A tool that gets a great deal of attention.
The body is most satisfying to our mind when it is in good working order. That means when it feels good, moves well, rests fully, recovers quickly. What seamstress isn’t happiest when the sewing machine hums productively? What bulldozer driver doesn’t most enjoy when the ‘dozer runs and digs and moves at full power?
This post and the next two will look at ways to feed our Body-Mind-Spirit triangle.
Let’s take a look at how and what we can “feed our body” to give us a tool that serves our mind and spirit even better.
Take a walk
Exercise.
No need to take on marathon-training or mind-numbing exercise goals that leave you exhausted. Exercise can be a simple walk, perhaps with a bit of briskness. Consider a swim that calls on most of your body’s muscles. Yoga is a wonderful body refresher. A number exercises can be done comfortably at home, no need for a gym membership.
Rest.
Rest comes in two flavors: a good night’s sleep and a break from the work at hand. Signs that you’re not getting enough sleep include:
- Fatigue, lethargy, lack of motivation
- Moodiness, irritability
- Decreased sex drive
- Impaired brain activity: learning, concentration, memory
- Weakened immune system
We learn to sleep enough by carefully listening to our body. It tells us clearly when we need more sleep. And studies at the University of California, San Francisco Sleep Disorders Center indicate that 3% of us can get by with 6 hours; the other 97% need the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Diet.
So, about what we eat. There is an ever-increasing attention to diets and what we should vs shouldn’t intake. Here’s some pretty obvious advice.
- Drink plenty of water. The 8×8 rule (8 ounces of water, 8 times a day) is a good rule of thumb. Mayo Clinic says those 64 ounces need not be only water, but any fluid.
- Monitor your caffeine. And sugar.
- 3 meals a day are better than 2 or 1. There’s good argument for grazing: as many as 6 smaller meals spread throughout the day.
- Be consistent. Stick with a diet. Stick with a dietary regimen.
Body Blessing
Good Friend God,
the blessing of our physical being,
the costume, the uniform we wear
gives us reason to give you thanks.
And gives us reason to enjoy caring
for its well-being.
The reminders and clues and hints and prompts
to work and rest and fuel our bodies
we thankfully attend.
And for our body’s health and our wellness
we are grateful.
And so it is. Amen.
Love and blessings.
6 June 2017
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