Take Care of You

Most of you probably know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It seems that more and more women are experiencing this disease or know someone who has. Just last week one of my aunts had a mastectomy in an effort to fight this terrible disease. I believe it's of the utmost importance to care for our spiritual health, but we need to look after our physical health as well.

 Mothers and wives tend to be key to keeping the household running well. This is a challenging task that becomes even more difficult when we're under the weather or really sick. I know single ladies keep just as busy also. Here are some reminders that I hope will encourage you, and me, to do our part to stay healthy.

Take the time to plan a healthy diet. Without a plan it's easy to fall into the habit of drive-thrus and pre-packaged foods that are usually loaded with sodium and fat. When I plan what I'm cooking for the week and shop accordingly, I spend less money and we eat healthier. Limit your intake of junk food. I don't believe in depriving yourself of any one food, but set some boundaries as to how much and how often you indulge in foods that aren't the best for your body. Our bodies are like cars and food is our gasoline. Put bad gas in a car and you'll get poor performance -- consequently put bad food in your body and you'll get sluggishness and weight gain, among other problems. Also limit the amount of juices and sodas that you drink as they add empty calories through sugar. Water is best, and for those who can't stand its non-taste there are options out there to add flavor without calories.

Incorporate exercise into your schedule. Genetically I have a slim build and some of you ladies reading this may as well. However, being slim doesn't automatically put us in the healthy category. Over the years I've exercised off and on and can definitely attest to the fact that I had more energy and slept better when I was working out regularly. Find out what exercise you enjoy doing and do it three times a week for 10 minutes. There's nothing wrong with starting small because if you stick with it you'll be surprised at how quickly that 10 minutes will grow to where it needs to be.

Don't stay so busy taking care of everyone and everything else that you don't take time for yourself. Life can be stressful so you need to find out what helps you unwind and do it daily. It's nice to do the "big" things, vacations, spa days, shopping trips, etc. for a much needed break, but there are "little" ways to rejuvenate also. It could be taking a bubble bath, reading a book, playing a game, cooking, or even eating a piece of chocolate. Whatever allows your overworked mind to rest from thinking about all the things on your to-do list, do it regularly. You're no good to yourself or anyone else when you're frazzled and overwhelmed.

I Cor. 6:19-20 says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.". Let's do our part to take care of His temple so that we can better serve Him and others with our lives.

In Christ,

Christina Gibbs

 Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.