Get ready, get set for …

A year of healthy living! 

By Gerrie Blackwelder

Following God’s call to serve him, St. John’s Health Care Ministry (HCM) is kicking off “A Year of Healthy Living,” by developing a series of tips and inspiration to appear in the Eagle’s View each month, as well as on our Pinterest page and our Web site. Our first endeavor is to remind you that you are loved and deeply needed. In that vein, we invite you to take a close look at your personal health goals and make a commitment to a year of healthy living.

You need only to choose ONE thing to impact your good health ! For instance, this month, just select one exercise that you have neglected and commit to doing that at least two times a week. Or, if you already do exercises twice a week, commit to three days a week for a year to improve upon your regimen.

The benefits of physical exercise include improved cardiac performance, lower threat of stroke, and reduction in joint pain. Most importantly, stimulation of exercise releases important endorphins which fight the physical stress to the body and stimulate the brain! We actually feel happier and are more productive if we begin each day, the first moments after awakening, with exercise.
But begin any exercise program slowly and build over time so that you do not injure yourself. Experts suggest that 5 minutes of exercise 5 times a day is a great way to begin a program to become a healthier you. Optimally, 20 minutes of early morning exercise is a sure way to add years to your life.

Additionally, if possible, try these simple tips: take stairs rather than an elevator, park your car a block away and walk to your location, eat green leafy vegetables, and spend time laughing. These ideas tend to have beneficial results and are, hopefully, easy concessions.

And, remember that the HCM is starting the annual health walk on January 11. This year, we Walk with our Mission Partners (see next page) to visit the missionary sights supported by our church.

You may wonder why we have an HCM at St. John’s and why the members of that organization care so much about your health. Here is why … “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Commit to your good health!