ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Christmas’ Sacred Stewardship: Your health

The season of reflection is here — a chance to see the difference we’ve made in the lives around us. As we evaluate the contributions we’ve made to the lives of many, it is also important for us to evaluate the contributions we’ve made to ourselves. We give, we celebrate, we extend grace, understanding, love and support to so many, but often it is to ourselves that we neglect. 

Giving these gifts to ourselves is not selfish. Embracing our own well-being is honoring the gift of this body and the gift of the body sacrificed by the Lord for us. Taking care of yourself is a sacred act of stewardship, of embracing Christ’s love, and honoring the Temple of the Living God that we have been entrusted with.  

As we embrace faith, hope, charity, love, joy and peace this time of year, let us see how we can apply them in our health. Our journey to a state of spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being means that we need to adopt habits of feeding ourselves nourishing foods, participating in regular exercise or movement, and prioritizing rest — all giving your body the things it needs to restore balance, heal and to thrive.  

We know that the Greatest Commandment is to Love. That includes ourselves. We express self-love when we take the time to nourish mind and body and give support in such a way that you express gratitude for what you have been given. If you don’t like how your current state looks, do something about it. You haven’t “tried everything” yet. Look deep, and listen to your body’s messages, and whisperings that encourage you to rest, but be active, eat well most of the time and savor “not so healthy foods” some of the time. Laugh a lot, but allow for times where you can pause, take a deep breath and recalibrate.  

Nourishing yourself comes from many places: spirituality, the love and comfort of others, the unconditional love of an animal, getting out in nature and just taking a deep breath and smiling up into the heavens with love, hope and a sense of peace. Part of nourishing yourself is service to others. Maybe you don’t have the time or the health to chop up a down-fallen tree, or to clean or organize a house or take someone shopping. But it takes little energy to smile, to acknowledge someone, to bring joy into someone’s life. One of those lives should be your own.  

I am grateful for this time of year. Of joy, of celebration, of peace and contentedness, of faith, hope and charity and especially of love. I’m also grateful to be able to review my past and to look to the future with the hope, peace and love that also comes with taking actions to support my overall health and well-being.  

Want to hear more from Holly Carling? Check out our podcast. Search for VitalHealth4You on your favorite podcast listening app or go to vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/.

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Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over four decades of experience. Carling is a “Health Detective.” She looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place.

Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles.

Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.