By Dr. Wynette Parker // Health & Wellness // EEW Magazine Online

In Scripture, Paul the Apostle wrote a letter to the church at Philippi commending Epaphroditus, a committed servant of God who almost died doing the work of Christ (Philippians 2:30). Paul noted that this man literally risked his life in service to the ministry. Clearly, Epaphroditus was dedicated to the Lord and intent on spreading the gospel.

Although there is great nobility in risking life and limb for the sake of the Kingdom as Epaphroditus did, it is important to pause and replenish. Of course, those that only run on two settings—go and go harder— often have difficulty finding time for self-care. But if you skip over it, years of personal neglect and abuse of your body will catch up to you.

Trying to carry out your divine mission on earth while being burnt out, sick, and exhausted is hard. And while there are times when the natural body breaks down on its own for reasons beyond our control, we should do all that is in our power to take good care of our body, the temple of God.

If you need a little help with taking time to nurture your temple, EEW Magazine Online’s got you covered. We’re here to help you apply 5 stress-reducing self-care techniques to enhance your life.

#1 Breathe. When you get tense, stressed out, or extremely uncomfortable, you unconsciously hold your breath. This common but harmful habit reduces the flow of oxygen through your bloodstream and can contribute to unwanted manifestations in your body like muscle tension, high blood pressure, headaches, and brain fog. So, remember to slow down, take some deep breaths, and relax. Something as simple as pausing—even if for only five or 10 minutes in the middle of a hectic day—and consciously inhaling and exhaling slowly can result in the instant reduction of your stress levels. Try it!

#2 Hydrate. Some folks are shocked to discover that research shows a direct correlation between dehydration and depression and anxiety. Since every system in the human body needs water to function, including the brain, lack of hydration derails the brain’s proper function, slows it down, and saps it of energy. To stay sharp, mentally focused, and refreshed all day long, carry a portable water bottle with you and take small sips throughout the day. Those tiny gulps add up over time. Water is life, so drink up!

#3 Lift weights. Whether you lift heavy weights or light dumbbells, doing so is a powerful form of self-care. As you perform strength training, you increase your bone density, improve heart health, reduce stress, burn fat, boost your mood, along with a host of other benefits. As women age, we lose muscle mass and strength, making us feel less energetic and more fatigued. By lifting weights just a few times a week, you can reverse the negative affects of muscle mass reduction and stay strong and energetic well into old age.

#4 Get therapy. Talking through your issues with a mental health professional can help you identify the root causes of negative cycles of behavior. If you are a chronic people-pleaser who has difficulty setting boundaries, a pessimistic person who doesn’t see the bright side of anything, or an angry individual that struggles with bitterness and resentment, therapy can help you get to the bottom of it. Having the right therapist can be life-changing and an effective part of your self-care routine. Normalize talking out your issues.

#5 Do a bedtime routine. Pamper your skin. Take a hot bath or shower. Sip some chamomile tea. Prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep. Having a bedtime routine is a good way to decompress in the evening and signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Resting doesn’t just mean getting ample sleep; it also means having moments to unwind. You need quiet time, which means you can’t give yourself away all day, every day without carving out private, uninterrupted moments. Just before bed is the perfect time to do so.

If you apply these helpful tips, you’ll feel better and function better, too. If you don’t apply these strategies, you may very well stay in an endless cycle of exhaustion, over-commitment and self-inflicted misery.

What will you choose?