How Do We Treat Our Bodies like a Temple?

Today’s second reading reminds us that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and calls to mind if we are treating our bodies, minds, and spirits as such. Are we nourishing and taking care of ourselves in a sacred way?

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

This is one of the reasons that I am so passionate about health and wellness. Truly, we are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we can’t reach our God-given potential without strong, able, and balanced bodies. To treat our body as the temple it is, here are some ways we can do that:

Eat biblically. The Mediterranean diet is one of the best diets to follow like Jesus and the apostles did. It’s a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Additionally, I recommend reading the Biblio Diet for more ideas on how to eat biblically - basically the way God intended us to eat.
Move your body. Walking at least 7500 steps a day is an easy way to keep your body moving. If you need more than walking, consider running, biking, hiking, swimming, stair stepping, or more intense workouts a few times a week. The point is to move! 5 days a week or 150 minutes per week is ideal.
Build strength. Keeping your body strong helps keep you strong overall in mind, body, and spirit. At least two days of strength training either through using weights or bodyweight exercises is recommended, especially for those of us over age 40. SoulCore is a Catholic Rosary workout that also can serve this purpose.
Establish a daily prayer routine. Prayer, especially meditative and contemplative prayer, is one of the best ways to cope with stressors and everyday challenges, and keep connected to God, and supports your overall spiritual and emotional health. Don’t know what prayer type works for you? The Hallow app can help you find one.
Have leisure activities you enjoy. Make time for leisure activities you enjoy at least once a week such as a sport or a hobby. So many of us have lost touch with our hobbies and interests as we’ve aged. It helps to remember, even the religious and those in monastic life have hobbies and recreational time each day! Sunday is a great time for those recreational activities.
Get your preventive care. Get your physical, annual labwork, and cancer screenings according to the recommended timelines. They are set for a reason, and these are critical ways of preventing early disease and death.
Work on your bad habits. Bad habits tend to take hold of us and prevent us from being truly well such as indulging too much (e.g. caffeine, alcohol, food, sugar), abusing our bodies, and over-straining ourselves (e.g. making an idol out of work, activities, etc.). Work on eliminating these from your daily life.

So yes, your body is a temple, and yes, wellness is a command from the Lord our God to treat your body like the sacred temple of the Holy Spirit it is. Follow these recommendations, and you’ll be doing your part to revere your body, mind, and spirit.