I’m on a mission to obtain and maintain good health. I searched a few articles for things to do to achieve my goal and most of them arrived to some common things to do which are:
– Eat healthy.
– Get regular (physical) exercise.
– Practice safe sex.
– Don’t smoke.
– Limit your alcohol intake.
The above list is great for taking care of my body but it doesn’t quite cater for the other parts of me that need to be kept healthy as well. Oftentimes we focus on just taking care of the body and forget that the mind and spirit are a part of us. We wonder why we have great bodies and glowing skin but still feel spiritually and mentally unfit. What does it mean to be unfit? It means you are not in good condition, typically as a result of failure to take regular exercise. So I decided to put together a list of things to do to stay healthy and classified them into three types of exercise: 1. Physical exercise, 2. Mental exercise and 3. Spiritual exercise.

Physical Exercise

When I go for long periods of time without doing any form of physical exercise, I get lazy, gain weight and get sick a lot. Because my body is not used to moving regularly, I often experience muscle pain each time I experience sudden forced movements like tripping from missing a step, or running from a stray dog that’s chasing me. To keep my joints lubricated and flexible, I take 30-minute walks or jog for 2.5 km three times a week. To build or tone up my muscles, I Zumba, dance around the house from my favourite music and do 25 to 50 sit-ups in a session. Doing this not only makes me look good but it makes me feel good too. So it’s essential that I incorporate it into my daily routine. Because we are all differently abled, you need to figure out what works for you without putting yourself at risk of injury. The goal is to keep moving consistently.

Mental Exercise

To stay mentally fit, I read self-help books; journal my feelings and thoughts (get a journal and start today if you are not doing this already), I practice social network distancing (I limit my time on social media to an hour a day), go on the occasional visit to the spa, I play (go out dancing or take long drives), I connect with loved ones and finally, sleep when my body needs to. I realize that to be a quality human being for the world, I need to first be a quality human being for myself.

A large number of us suffer from some form of mental illness and are sometimes not aware of this. It could be mood disorders (e.g. depression), anxiety disorders or trauma-related disorders, to name a few. They disrupt our normal day-to-day activities and shift our focus from what is important in our lives. The symptoms, causes, triggers and treatment for each illness are too broad to cover here. Some of them are too complex to diagnose by yourself and you would probably need the help of a professional to do so. What’s important is to notice when you experience a shift from what you consider to be normal and seek help. Speaking to someone outside
of yourself is usually a good step. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group. Their website gives access to comprehensive mental health information and resources to help you, a family member or loved one. Find
them here http://www.sadag.org/

Spiritual Exercise

Up until recently I did not realize just how important it was to keep my spirit in check. It is one aspect of us that is easily neglected due to its abstract nature. Just as the body cannot function without the mind, the duo needs the spirit to perform its duties. The spirit is what helps us discover and fulfill our purpose in life. It is what keeps us connected to our creator. To keep spiritually fit and maintain my connection to God, I pray regularly. I also try to meditate at least once a day. I just need to find a quiet space and allocate some time then I’m good to go, anywhere – in my room, in the car, at my doctor’s waiting area or at the park. Although I have not done it in a
while, fasting is another means of exercising the spiritual muscle. I am committed to knowing about God and His plans for my life so I dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to reading scripture. I have been using the Daughters of The King app (a daily devotionals app for women) for years now and it has played an essential role in my spiritual growth.

Photo by Cedric Lim Ah Tock from Pexels