Sometimes we overlook the obvious. Among the many reasons that we are examining about the early drop-out of clergy is one that may seem obvious but is often neglected. A pastor may be so stressed by trying to cope with the multiple challenges and disappointments of ministry, that s/he neglects their physical health. When your physical health declines, the social, emotional, and spiritual challenges of ministry can escalate. A good physical exercise program can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Drawing on information I found in a brochure created by Journeyworks Publishing, I want to share some ideas on how to improve your physical health.
Experts say that 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days can improve your health significantly. While many busy people have difficulty finding 60 minutes to set aside for exercise, what you may not know is that you can break up that 30 to 60 minutes into bite size chunks and still get the benefits. According to this brochure, if you can find blocks of ten minutes and engage in activity that makes your heart beat faster, you can benefit.
Over the next couple of days I will share twenty-one ideas that they suggest to spark your imagination. Of course, none of them will work unless you do them. The important thing is to become intentional about achieving some exercise throughout your week. As you look at their ideas, and others that may come to you, think also about your week and where you can plug them in. By putting them into your calendar, you will be more likely to engage in them. Otherwise, you might have good intentions but come to the end of the week and realize that you have forgotten.
You might even want to make a game out of it by giving yourself points every time you exercise and planning a reward when you have reached a certain score. Just make sure that the reward is healthy as well.
