We Only Get One Body and We Must Respect It
Too many people in our world today pack their lives full of activity. They treat busyness as a badge of accomplishment. They sacrifice to achieve and receive admiration.
In doing so, they neglect their physical well-being. Their body suffers, but they push health aside in their pursuit for more. They reason that modern medicine can provide a pill to counter the side effects of their neglect.
Yet they do this to their peril.
Here are three areas I address to take care of myself, to treat my body as the sacred temple it is.
Exercise
I start my day with exercise. I’ve done this my entire adult life. Yet I’ve added to my routine over the years.
I began with an exercise bike, riding for about fifteen minutes a day. Over the years, I’ve worn out two bikes and am working on a third. Its odometer has turned over twice.
Later, I added a stair stepper to my exercise arsenal. For a time, I did weights, too, but set them aside as being too dreary. Maybe someday I’ll return to them.
My last addition is an inversion table. I’m not sure if inverting constitutes exercise, but my back sure appreciates it.
My morning exercise routine also has a spiritual component because I integrate it with prayer and Bible reading.
More recently, I added a midday walk to my exercise regimen. With an aim of fifteen to twenty minutes a day, I often do more, except for when the weather forces me to stay inside.
These efforts may not align with an ideal recommended exercise routine—and are not medical advice to follow—but they are something I can embrace and adhere to. I get my body moving and my heart pumping. That’s what matters.
Food
Next up is food. We must eat to live, not live to eat. This is a key perspective. It’s important we do not lose sight of this. Food is the means, not the end.
A coworker I once often traveled with remarked about my eating habits. He noted that my breakfasts were both wise and healthy. My lunches were mostly good, while healthy considerations were largely absent from my days’ concluding meals.
He was right. My self-discipline decreased throughout the day, and my eating habits reflected this. I’ve since worked to correct this oversight. Now I strive to eat three healthy meals every day—morning, noon, and night.
I drink a lot of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. For liquids, I consume mostly water and milk, with a healthy glass of apple juice each morning. I minimize soft drinks and caffeine, while I never drink coffee or alcoholic beverages.
Next, I’m working on increasing my intake of fruits and vegetables while decreasing carbs. I’m also striving to move away from my perception that I need a dessert after every meal. I’m working toward having just one a day and reducing the size of the portion as well.
And I now resist the urge for an evening snack.
I also take a daily dose of vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. I also fast one day each week; it has both physical and spiritual benefits.
Again, my eating practices are not recommended health advice. I share them for your consideration and to encourage you to be more intentional about what you consume.
Sleep
My last consideration is sleep. It stands between the end of one day and the start of the next. When we don’t get enough rest, it lessens our energy and detracts from our judgment. A good night’s sleep is critical if we hope to make the most of each new day.
Here are my sleep practices.
I aim for a consistent bedtime of around 10:00 p.m. each night, on both weekdays and weekends.
I don’t set an alarm, but I get up when I’m ready. In the summer months, this happens between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m., whereas for the winter it shifts to between 6:00 and 7:00, as affected by when the sun rises.
This means I get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Interestingly, I have more energy in the summer than I do in the winter, even though I sleep less.
And one more thing about rest. Because I work at home, if I get tired during the day, I can take a quick nap. Five to ten minutes is all I need to rejuvenate myself and sharpen my focus. This isn’t a daily habit, but it seems to occur once or twice each week.
We must be intentional about taking care of our bodies. This includes exercising, eating sensibly, and getting enough rest.
Life Lesson If we fail to take care of ourselves now, our bodies will fail us later.
Read more in Peter Lyle DeHaan’s latest book Sticky Living featuring his compelling story-driven insights and tips, part of the Sticky Series.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an entrepreneur and businessman who has managed, owned, and started multiple businesses over his career. Common themes at every turn have included customer service, sales and marketing, and leadership and management.
He shares his lifetime of business experience and personal insights through his books to encourage, inspire, and occasionally entertain.