Become Your Own Wellness Expert

Become Your Own Wellness Expert by Dr. Omolola Omoteso

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

John did not pray for health alone. He prayed for health as the soul prospers. That means God cares about the whole person. He cares about your body and He cares about your soul. One should not be healthy while the other is suffering.

Paul tells us why. Your body is not your own. It is a temple. A temple is a place where God dwells. A temple is a place of worship. That is why what you eat matters. That is why rest matters. That is why water matters. That is why movement matters.

Many of us have treated the body as if it does not matter, as if only the spirit matters. But God put your spirit inside a body. If the body breaks down, the work suffers. If the body is tired, prayer becomes hard. If the body is sick, worship becomes heavy.

Wellness is not vanity. Wellness is stewardship. You are taking care of what God gave you to use for Him.

As you enter your 50s, your body starts talking louder. The same things you used to enjoy may no longer agree with you.

You need to learn what works for your body and what does not. Study how your body responds well or reacts angrily to whatever goes into your mouth. Even a small change, from 3 cubes to 5 cubes, can have a huge impact on your wellbeing.

Of course the quality of ingredients matter. If you choose to save money, be mindful of the source.

Here are 11 things to watch as led by the Holy Spirit:

1. Knee and ankle aches

Check your shoes. Is your body now saying no to heels?

2. Waking up tired

Check your bed. Is your old, sinking mattress now in need of change?

3. Having inexplicable headaches

Are you reacting to foods you previously ate infrequently, e.g. cheese? Let me tarry here a bit - The tyramine content in aged cheese can trigger tension headaches and migraines in some people. Aged cheese like aged cheddar, parmesan, blue cheese, brie is high in tyramine and can cause blood vessels to tighten and then relax, and for sensitive people that can bring on a migraine or tension-type headache. It is worse for people who get migraines, have high blood pressure, or take certain medicines like MAOIs

4. Regularly bloating with gas (fart), stomach cramps or gurgling

Check whether you have become intolerant to lactose.

5. Unexplained or secondary fertility issues

Could your thyroid be having issues, or your pituitary enlarged and affecting your hormones? This is something to check especially if you have missed or invisible menstrual cycles; you feel your periods but you don't bleed.

6. Minor heart issues with hip pain or ache

Have your feet checked. It could be from pes planus; flat feet syndrome.

7.  Effect of advanced glycation end-products
You may be experiencing the effect of the salts and fats in the skin of chicken and fish if you went from removing it to eating it.

8. Increase in nuts

Eating nuts in moderation may have no visible effect but you could be experiencing rashes or irritation when you do.

9. No sugar to over-processed pastries

You can experience blurry eyes from blood sugar spikes.

10. Fresh to frozen meals for convenience

Understand that how you store and thaw it matters to ensure wellness.

11. Coffee feels different on slow days

On busy days, the energy from coffee gets used up. On slow days with less to do, that same cup can leave you feeling jittery, shaky, and restless. Eat first, take a smaller cup, and take a short praise walk after.

12. Rest is worship

Many pastors preach about spending the entire night praying, that is their work and calling; they may very well spend the day sleeping or catch up on rest while others plan programmes for them. Your body needs adequate rest and water to heal your spirit, soul, mind and body.

Small changes matter; do not ignore a small increase or decrease if your body complains. What was fine in a small amount may not be fine in a larger amount. Many warn against high salt but no salt is also bad. Also, a bad thing your body has come to adapt to will lead to withdrawal syndrome on the shirt run but better health in the long run.

Please ensure exercise and encouragement becomes part of your routine. Praise walk helps me; it gives my body the movement it needs and my mind the worship God needs that brings me peace.  

I am a doctor of books, not a medical doctor, and the decision you take is your responsibility.

I am sharing this because I hit 3 discoveries myself. When it says rest, rest. When it says stop, stop. When it says this food does not agree with me, listen. That is not weakness. That is wisdom.

Rest is worship. Eating well is worship. Drinking water is worship. Sleeping well is worship. When you take care of the temple, you honour the God who lives inside it.

I pray you prosper in all things. I pray you enjoy good health; as your soul prospers.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.