Dimensions of Health

I know some folks that have been dealing with depression, isolation, loneliness, helplessness, loss, regret, emptiness, discouragement, and negative thoughts. It's very easy to see the difficulties of life. It's not always easy to be optimistic and to push yourself to grow, transform and pursue a better life. Setting goals, pursuing them and consistently fighting to become the best version of yourself is not easy. It's challenging. 

When I help folks with these sort of issues, I relate with them well because it's things I also struggle with. It's easy to make excuses, it's easy to stay comfortable and to not want to change. Sometimes we lack the means, the motivation, inspiration, or energy. Or so we often think. The truth is that we really do have the strength and power to change ourselves and our circumstances. Sure there's external things outside of our control, but much of what we can manipulate, cultivate and grow comes from having a strong internal locus of control. You can see this in ambitious people you might know. It's a mindset. A work ethic. A devotion and commitment to achieve their goals. 

As Christians, we honestly have the greatest source of power we can tap into. At any moment, anywhere, anytime, we can be present with the living God. Sure there are some natural formation things we can do to improve ourselves. But there are things that we really cannot do alone. There are things we can only develop, achieve and obtain by surrendering to God. True strength, virtues, holiness, power and love all come from Him. God's grace does not only cover our sins, God's graces sustains us and empowers us to live for his glory.

I know I tend to blog about holistic health pretty often. But it really does apply to all aspects of my life. Sanctification does not just seek God in our spiritual disciplines. Sanctification also seeks to apply spirituality to all areas of health in our life. There are several spheres of health that are all interconnected. When one area of our health is lacking, it impacts us in other ways. And vise versa, when one area of our health is thriving it helps us to flourish in our other categories of health.

This stuff can kinda seem like a no-brainer, and yet I still find myself having to remind myself to focus on all aspects of health.

Spiritual Health
Arguably the center of our health. Drawing closer to God. Being present with God and finding Joy in Him.

Physical Health
A huge aspect of health that can be broken into subcategories that I'll explain. Exercise! Our bodies were meant to move! Hygiene. Medication management. Actually seeing the doctor.

Nutrition
This deserves it's own category. Eating right consistently is critical to our entire well being. We generally already know what's good and bad for ourselves.

Sleep
Nothing good happens after 2pm. Go to sleep early and get the rest we need. Setting a consistent routine sleep cycle.

Emotional Health
Our mood really does effect our day to day choices. This aspect of health is closely tied to our behavior. Sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us. It takes some introspection to understand ourselves.

Cognitive Health
Also known as intellectual health. We need to think about our thoughts and often change the way we perceive and think.

Financial Health
The discipline of saving money, investing, budgeting and not over spending.

Occupational Health
What we do for a living isn't our identity, but our vocational calling does play a role in pursuing our purposes. Not everyone has the luxury to work doing something they love. But regardless of what career we're in or pursuing, we can make a difference. Hard work pays off.

Environmental Health
I consider this one's living situation. Maintaining a orderly home. A safe place of peace, restoration and not of conflict.

Relational Health
A vital aspect of health that often gets neglected. It often takes intentionality to reach out to friends, grow in community and create opportunities of kindness. Quality time comes out of quantity time.