“Depression lies to me. It is relentless. It tells me I will always feel this way, that I’m not deserving of help, that I am a burden, a waste — that my life is thoroughly hopeless,” Pastor Jason Chestnut writes in Sojourners. Ministry is hard, and the stresses clergy face can lead may people to […]
Scientists have gone to great lengths to fully understand sleep’s benefits. They have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions. And yet many people don’t get enough — especially busy church leaders! This webpage from Harvard Medical School will tell you to everything you ever […]
Sure, you may draw closer to God when you pray, but are there other ways that prayer is good for you? Yes, say scientists have who have studied the physical, mental and emotional health of people who engage in regular prayer. They have found it to be beneficial in tangible ways. This informative article from […]
Serving God’s people reaps many joys, but it’s also a highly stressful vocation. And for too many ministers that stress results in extra weight, according to a United Methodist Study. It showed that clergy suffer from obesity, high cholesterol, borderline hypertension, borderline diabetes, asthma and depression at significantly higher rates than do other demographically comparable […]
It’s hard to be spiritually healthy when your physical health needs work, and that’s why a parish nurse or health advocate program is a good idea for every congregation. It’s especially important as obesity rates rise and our health-care system is on such uncertain footing. This free 17-page comprehensive guide from the Lutheran Church – […]
There’s a fine line between being tired and actually burning out. The challenge is, once you cross the line, it’s so difficult to get back. Eleven years ago, I entered into the darkest period of my life. People had always warned me I would burn out. I thought I could prove them wrong. And usually I did. I […]
When it comes to living longer–and feeling healthier, happier and slimmer in the meantime–your fate has never been more firmly in your hands. Research indicates that no matter your genetic predispositions, you can take real steps toward reducing your risk of dying early (even down to turning off your fat genes) by tweaking your lifestyle and […]
Think about your emotional well-being. Assess your emotional health regularly. Consider the particular demands or stresses you are facing and how they are affecting you. Give yourself permission to take a break from your worries and concerns. Dedicating even a short time every day to your mental fitness will reap significant benefits. You’ll feel rejuvenated […]
Could you “unplug” from your devices and the Internet for 31 days? Author Christina Crook did, and she learned valuable lessons about time, busyness, and mindfulness. Crook’s essay challenges us to consider our stewardship of time as a health and wellness issue that asks how we live this life we have been given. (Photo: Patrick […]
The secret to a happier life is not found in more stuff. “You’re addicted to your phone. You’re loaded down by useless stuff. And you eat like a teenager. No wonder you can’t find the time to play outside, see the world, and get in shape,” writes Jen Schwartz. Everyone can find ways to claim more time to live the precious life God has given us. (Photo: Moonjazz, Creative Commons)
