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In the pursuit of a fulfilling life, happiness is a goal for many. However, happiness is not an isolated concept; it’s complex and connected to your overall physical and mental health. By understanding and nurturing the links between your health and happiness, you can be on your way to an enriched and balanced life.

Physical Health and Happiness

Physical health forms the foundation upon which happiness thrives. When your body functions optimally, so can your overall sense of well-being. Consider the following strategies to optimize your physical health:

• Exercise regularly. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which elevate mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Exercise also boosts energy levels.
• Focus on nutrition. A balanced diet fuels the body and mind. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats provide nourishment to support cognitive function and emotional stability.
• Get quality sleep. Adequate and regular sleep positively influences mood, cognitive performance and emotional resilience.

Mental Health and Happiness

When you nurture your mind, happiness can flourish. Consider these tips for building your emotional resilience and a positive mindset:

• Practice self-care and stress management. It’s critical to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Mindfulness practices can also reduce anxiety and improve focus.
• Prioritize healthy relationships. Positive social interactions, supportive friendships and a sense of belonging contribute significantly to happiness.
• Seek help if needed. Mental health professionals can provide guidance, therapy and tools to help you manage and overcome life’s challenges.

The Path to Happiness

A healthy mind and body are critical components in your quest for happiness. By embracing a holistic approach to health, you can unlock the potential for a life filled with happiness, purpose and fulfillment. Contact a health care professional if you have any questions about your well-being.

Anxiety Screenings Recommended for Most Americans

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) now recommends that adults under the age of 65 get regularly screened for anxiety. For the first time, the Task Force recommends screening all adults under 65 who don’t have a diagnosed mental health disorder or related symptoms. This is meant to help primary care clinicians identify early signs of anxiety, which can go undetected for years.

The latest recommendation also focuses on screening for specific groups of people, especially those who are pregnant and have given birth within the past year. Last year, the Task Force recommended screening children ages 8 to 17 for anxiety. This now means all Americans ages 8 to 64 should be screened for anxiety. Anxiety disorders typically begin in childhood and early adulthood, and symptoms appear to decline with age. Contact a doctor if you have concerns about anxiety.

How Often Do You Need to Exercise for Optimal Heart Health?

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week but doesn’t specify an optimal pattern. New research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that “weekend warriors” may realize the same cardiovascular health benefits as those who work out multiple times a week. A weekend warrior fits a week’s worth of exercise into a couple of days. The study found that working out at least 150 minutes each week can help cut one’s risk of stroke, heart attack and atrial fibrillation (also known as AFib)—and those minutes can be split equally across the week or concentrated into the weekend. As long as you’re hitting 150 minutes, you can reap cardiovascular benefits. The weekend warrior schedule could be an option if you’re short on time during the week. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.

•Never again will I confess “I can’t” for “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)

•Never again will I confess lack, for “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ

Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

•Never again will I confess fear, for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound

mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

•Never again will I confess doubt and lack of faith, for “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

•Never again will I confess weakness, for “The Lord is the strength of my life” (Psalm 27:1). “The people that know their

God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

•Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for “Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

•Never again will I confess defeat, for “God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

•Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for “Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

•Never again will I confess sickness, for “With His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus “Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness” (Matthew 8:17).

•Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am “Casting all my cares upon Him, who careth for me” (1 Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “care-free.”

•Never again will I confess bondage, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

•Never again will I confess condemnation, for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

•Never again will I confess loneliness, Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

•Never again will I confess curses or bad luck, for “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14).

•Never again will I confess discontent because “I have learned, in whatsoever state (circumstances) I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

•Never again will I confess unworthiness because “He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Taken from Pastor Chris Massey’s Sermon called “Feelin’ Good Like I Should” from Job 9:27

When someone hurts you or, worse, hurts somebody that you love, revenge can seem appealing. After all…

They were mean.

They were selfish.

They talked behind your back.

They broke a vital promise.

They lied about you.

They criticized you.

They ignored you.

They did the unthinkable.

They walked away.

They deserve to be punished, right? To feel some of that same pain? They deserve a consequence that will not only help them learn, but will be just as severe as the inflicted wounds.

And yet—because God sees things differently, both His standards and tactics can be surprising. And that’s why the apostle Paul, writing to the believers in Thessaloniki, said:

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT

Paul’s words sound a lot like Jesus’ words—to love your neighbor as yourself; to do to others what you’d like them to do to you. (See: Matthew 22:38-40)

God’s ways might not always be easy, but they can always be trusted.

When we choose unforgiveness, hate and anxiety and bitterness will likely take root. But when we choose forgiveness (even though we might need to consider new boundaries), love and peace and reconciliation can flourish.

So, what about you? Have you ever been mean? Have you been selfish? Talked behind someone’s back? Broke a vital promise? Lied, criticized, ignored, or done the unthinkable? Have you ever decided to give up and walk away?

In our unique-to-us ways, we’ve all let someone down. We’ve disregarded God’s instructions and, instead, created our own instructions. We’ve messed up.

We deserve God’s wrath but, instead, He’s offered us His unconditional love.

Because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, we didn’t get what we deserve. And even while hanging on that cross, breathing His last earthly breaths, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus repaid our evil with extreme mercy, leaving us free to conquer evil with good. So today, let’s honor His sacrifice by treating others the way He treated us.