It’s that time again! It’s time for October’s Healthy Habit! Back in January I decided to try something different in 2016 when it comes to healthy living goals. Instead of making a big lofty goal, I thought I would try mini-goals for each month.
This year I decided to focus on one healthy habit each month. I hope that by focusing intensely on one thing for a month, I will turn it into a habit that sticks with me throughout the year. Here are my:
Healthy Habits for a Healthy Year
January: Drink 8 Glasses of Water Each Day
February: Eliminate Snacking
March: Exercise 4 Days a Week
April: Sleep at Least 9 Hours a Night
June: Stretch Each Day
July: Track My Steps Each Day
August: Eat Fruits and Vegetables at Every Meal
September: Eat a Big Salad for Lunch Each Day (Didn’t Do)
October: Observe One Sabbath a Week
November: Write in a Gratitude Journal Each Day
December: Spend 10 Minutes Outside Every Day
September’s Recap
I basically took the month of September off. After pushing myself REALLY hard to finish my e-book Seasons of the Faith: Helping Your Family Celebrate the Feasts and Fasts of the Church. So hard, in fact, that I became seriously ill the day after the book launched. I was in bed for three days straight with a high fever, body aches, and extreme exhaustion.
So, I spent a little time away from blogging, resting and reevaluating priorities. During that time I did not write about or do my healthy challenge scheduled for September. I did, however, manage to rest.
October’s Healthy Challenge: Observe One Sabbath Day Each Week
Perhaps it is no coincidence, then, that my healthy living focus this month is all about rest. When I was planning out this series last December, I didn’t know what I would need this month–but God did!
In October, I will observe one Sabbath day each week. For me this means:
- I will not do any blogging work
- I will not grade papers or do lesson plans for school
- I will spend time with my family
- I will read the Scriptures or spiritual books
- I will go to bed early
By purposefully setting aside one day each week to focus on rest and spiritual renewal, I hope to improve my overall health.
My Plan
In order to reach this goal, I will:
1. Mark One Day in My Calendar as a Sabbath Each Week
This will probably not be the same day each week, as my schedule may alter. However, I will block off one day in both my electronic calendar and my physical calendar. By scheduling it like an appointment, I hope to take my Sabbaths seriously.
2. Leave My Laptop at School
If my Sabbath falls on a weekday, I will leave my laptop at school so that I won’t be tempted to do any work at home. (And, yes, I would still consider one weekday evening with no work a Sabbath, even though I would teach during the day!) As a blogger, it is so tempting to check just one thing, or make just one adjustment. And, before you know it, you’ve spent an hour doing work online. If I leave my laptop at school, however, I will just spend time with my family, read, and go to bed early. So relaxing!
3. Go to Bed Very Early
On my Sabbath nights, I plan to go to bed ridiculously early. Like 8:30. I have been too exhausted lately, and I know that my body is telling me that I need more rest. I have committed to a 10:00 bedtime on a regular basis, but I think that once or twice a week I should go to bed even earlier.
I want to encourage you to think about your health and fitness goals. What will you do to take care of the body God gave you? How will you focus on your health so that you can love and serve others? I challenge you today to take the time to create a few goals for yourself. You are welcome to join me and focus on one habit a month.
Here’s to a healthy you!
Do you observe a Sabbath each week? What do you do?
