Hey Friends,

It’s been a long time since I have talked about health and beauty on this blog. However, as Christian young women, it’s very important to take care of our bodies in a way that honors and glorifies God. Our body belongs to Him after all, remember?

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and your spirit which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The spiritual condition and health of our soul is more important than the health of our physical bodies – which is why I primarily focus on the spiritual aspect of godly and radiant womanhood. But today, we are going to talk about our physical health!

I’ve compiled a list of ways that we as Christian young women can establish healthy habits for body and soul. This is going to be fun – so let’s get started!

20 Healthy Habits for the Christian Girl

1. Feed Your Soul First – When I say feed your soul… I mean feed it spiritually. Read God’s Word every day. Saturate your heart and soul with the Word of God. This will ensure that you stay spiritually healthy!

2. Choose a Healthy Life, for the Glory of God – Do not choose to be healthy for vain reasons. Instead, choose to live a healthy life so that you can glorify God and serve Him better.

3. View Your Health As an Area of Stewardship – God has given you the body that you have. It’s your job to take good care of it. Your health is an area of stewardship.

4. Don’t Obsess Over Your Health – Your health it important, but don’t let it become an obsession or an idol. Always keep God first.

5. Drink Your Water – You already know this one! Water is absolutely vital for your body to function properly. Drinking lots of water can help you loose weight or maintain an already healthy body weight. Water flushes out toxins and keeps your organs running smoothly. When you drink enough water your skin will naturally glow, your eyes will look clearer, and you will have more energy.

6. Always Eat Breakfast – After sleeping all night, your body needs water and food to jump start your energy for the day. Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast full of protein and healthy carbs (think fresh fruit!). My favorite healthy breakfast is a chocolate banana smoothie!

7. Eat lots of Fresh Fruits and Veggies – When God first created the world, fruits and veggies were the only foods available. They are among the healthiest foods you can eat! Make sure to have some kind of fruit or veggie at every meal. They are great snacks too!

8. Avoid Lots of Prepackaged/Refined Foods– It’s hard to cut out all the bad foods out there. Taking baby steps are key. Try to avoid too many foods that come in a package (like potato chips, crackers, candy, etc.) and avoid too many refined ingredients like white sugar and white flour. Everything in moderation…

9. Move a Little (or a Lot!) Every Day – Exercise is important, but sometimes it’s hard to fit into our day. Make it your goal to move a little bit every day. Whether it’s a short walk, going up and down the stairs, or doing a simple strength training workout.

10. Invest in a Fitness Tracker – If you have a fitness tracker you can set a goal for each day. Having that fitness tracker on your arm will motivate you to get moving. (I have used and had a lot of success with the Fit Bit Flex).

11. Exercise With a Friend – It’s a lot more fun to exercise when you do it with a friend. Ask your closest friend to join you for a walk or try a new workout with you. Get ready to laugh and have fun together!

12. Maintain a Healthy Weight – Being healthy is much more important than being skinny. Aim to be healthy by eating well and exercising on a regular basis. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, a healthy weight will follow.

13. Limit Caffeine – I’ve recently learned that our bodies negatively react to caffeine. As soon as we ingest caffeine our body will go to work trying to get rid of it as fast as possible… which is why we get a burst of energy. This is also why drinking coffee makes you go to the bathroom (your body wants it out!). I personally love coffee – but I have been cutting back and I feel a lot better. If you love coffee like me, then try drinking just one cup a day in the morning… then gradually transition to every other day (or just a few times a week).

14. Stretch it Out – Most people sit too much throughout the day (this includes me!). Our muscles don’t get used nearly as much as they were made to be used. Stretching can help loosen up your muscles and improve your flexibility, which also helps to prevent injuring them. Try to stretch a little bit each day in the morning and evening.

15. Get Enough Rest – When your body is tired, you need to give it rest. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule will help as well. Discipline yourself to go to bed at a reasonable time each night (11pm or earlier!) and wake up around the same time each morning.

16. Keep a Glass of Water Next to Your Bed – This will help you remember to drink water before you fall asleep and right when you wake up.

17. Read a Book on Health – There are lots of good health books out there for Christians. Reading a good book about health is a great way to get you motivated and inspired to be healthy. I will share a couple of my favorites at the end of this post!

18. Keep a Journal – Writing your thoughts and feelings down can help you emotionally and mentally. Getting all your thoughts out on paper will help you rest better at night.

19. Make a List of Your Personal Health Goals – What does a healthy lifestyle look like to you? Make a list of health goals that you want to reach in your life this year.

20. Choose an Accountability Partner – Who in your life can help you stay on top of your health goals? Find someone who can encourage you to be healthy and ask them to keep you accountable.

Final Thoughts

There you have it my friend! Those are some of the best healthy habits for living a healthy lifestyle that honors and glorifies God. Remember, our bodies belong to God and it’s our job to take good care of them so that we can better serve the Lord! Always keep your spiritual health as your #1 priority. So many people focus too much on a healthy body and forget about being being spiritually fed and healthy.

If you would like to learn more about health… Check out the following books which are two of my favorites!

Trim Healthy Mama Plan

Devotions for a Healthier You

Which healthy habits do you need the most in your life?

P.S. I’ve included a helpful infographic for you to save and remember these 20 healthy habits!