Living a healthy lifestyle is about so much more than nutrition and physical activity. Yes, they are integral parts, but they are not the only things that matter. What does 'living healthy' mean and how can you actually take steps toward it now? I'm glad you asked! Here are 5 things you can start doing now in order to make positive changes in the state of your health!

Involve the Lord in the process. If there is any area of your health that the Lord needs to address, be willing to let Him have His way. Pray and ask Him for guidance in the best way to approach the changes that need to be made. He wants to be involved in every aspect of your life; your healthy habits are no exception! The benefit is that your plans will succeed because you involve Him even more so than if you try to do it alone.

Don’t neglect prevention. What you put off today or don’t address in a timely manner will potentially come back to cause problems in the future. We know this is the case in other areas of our life, but the same principle applies to our health. Make sure you are keeping things like yearly lab work, annual health exams, dental cleanings every six months, and other preventive measures like vaccines up to date. Being a medical provider, you know I would not let this topic escape my list! ;)

Make small changes. Every little win you can stack up will compound over time. The same way that setting aside small amounts in your savings account adds up, choices that seem insignificant can change the trajectory of outcomes when you look at the impact they have down the road. Don’t wait until you feel like you can do things perfectly, just get started! Most of the sustainable changes we make come from consistent, small, daily choices, not complete life overhauls.

Ask for help. If you aren’t sure how to get started, don’t take for granted the wisdom of others who have experience in the areas you are struggling. Whether it is a coach or a friend, not only can they give you advice, but they can offer a prayer, support, and encouragement along the way. Hearing their stories will inspire you to believe in yourself when doubt creeps in. When possible, face-to-face friendships are ideal, but if you struggle to find someone who is willing to support you in the way that you need it, online community can also play a role. We have heard testimonies from hundreds of women as to how getting involved with a program like Stronger Together allowed them to reach goals they weren’t sure where possible. If you aren’t already a member of our free Dashing Dish member’s community forum on Facebook make sure you join!

Make time and space for creativity and growth. Your physical health is not the only thing that holds value. A happy, healthy lifestyle involves all aspects of your being—spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, financial, relational, etc. Be intentional to foster growth in a variety of ways. Find a creative activity or hobby that you enjoy and make time for it. Choose a source of self-study (like podcasts, reading, or journaling) that keeps you engaged in learning. Make space for other activities like worship, small groups, and service projects that grow the fruit of the Spirit in you. The reality is that healthy things grow and reproduce. The purpose of growth in your life should be making a positive impact on the world around you. The fruit God yields through you can be life-giving to others. There should be a flow that looks like this: what you are nourished by feeds you but also produces something of value to meet the needs of people in your life.

I pray this gives you practical steps for creating the healthy and abundant life you desire!