Changing habits is not easy—as many of us know. Just knowing the risks of unhealthy habits is usually not a sufficient motivator. So, where do you start? With small steps. The “Three Keys” guide serves to kickstart your journey.

KEY #1: You control your health more than you think you do.

You may not feel that way now, but it’s true. You really do have tremendous power, often way more than I did as a doctor during my rushed 15-minute visits with my patients. I'm not making this up—the research about chronic disease, life expectancy, and fitness confirm that healthy habits contribute to your health and well-being in dramatic ways above what your doctor can accomplish for you.

Envision yourself way older than you are now. Do you see long walks in your favorite city, playing with your grandkids, staying active with volunteer work, or finally learning to dance? No matter your age, you can start now to maximize your chances of reaching your goals.

How do you start? Well…to see a change you have to make a change—and that starts with just one step. It is those steps all added together which will reduce illness, aches and pains, number of required medicines, lab tests, doctor visits, and hospitalizations— while you simultaneously move toward a more healthy future and the realization of your goals.

Where do you start? Do you feel called to address your eating or exercise habits, weight, stress level, or prayer life? You get to choose where to start, but you must take that first step. Examples of first baby steps might be eliminating all soda from your diet, not eating after 8 pm, adding 10-15 minutes of walking or exercise of your choice each day, or getting up 15 minutes earlier to pray. Usually, your path will become obvious if you open yourself up to growth and change.

Do not think I am discounting the ability of modern medicine to cure illness, reduce suffering, and save lives. What I am saying is that you will likely be disappointed and frustrated if you rely just on pills, procedures, tests, and brief doctor visits to make you well.

One last comment about controlling your health. Faith asks us to accept that, despite our efforts, we still face sickness, accidents, and death. Each such difficult situation provides yet another opportunity to make positive choices, such as praying more, communing with nature, seeking counsel, or sharing with family and friends. Taking intentional steps such as these can increase your peace of mind during difficult times.

KEY #2: Experience the miracle of tuning in.

Tune in to what? The present moment, or as de Caussade describes, the “Sacrament of the Present Moment.” Why do we need to tune in? Aren’t we already there? The answer is a resounding NO. 

I am an expert on this topic…I’ve gradually realized that my overactive brain is often way too busy with analyzing the past, worrying about the future, or planning something—what would I cook for dinner, my schedule for tomorrow, my vacation plans, or my rebuttal to the conversation actually taking place (to which I was not really listening).

We all do this but oftentimes are not aware. Stress makes it worse. It was only when I began exploring mindfulness and making a deliberate effort to be present to each moment, that I became aware of how severe was the problem….and how it often prevented me from really listening. I was trying to tune into two channels at once: the discourse in my head plus the conversation in front of me. Can you identify?

The answer for you and for me is to tune into only one channel at a time. This way we can clearly hear others, we can hear God, and, we can listen to our bodies—without static!Tuning in to listen is central to prayer. God is here with us now. When we are busy in our heads stewing about past hurts or future worries, we are stepping away from the present, where God is and where we can hear Him if we listen.Each time we intentionally flip the channel back to the NOW we turn back to God.

Here is the summation of Key #2: Really listening will improve your relationship with yourself, with others, and with God.  Better relationships mean less stress, and that brings better health.

KEY #3: God is linked to your health.

God gave each of us our bodies as a gift, but He doesn’t maintain total control over our health. He gave us free will and this includes our ability to make choices about our bodies and lifestyle. I believe we will benefit if we involve God in our quest for health of body, mind, and spirit. How?

• Pray to God for good health and better life habits.

• Love your body as a gift from God, a “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 6:19). Cherish it and care for it like you would care for your favorite possession. This means being thoughtful about what you take into your body and your mind.

• Practice a quiet, receptive prayer such as Centering Prayer, which involves the surrender of some of your time once or twice a day so you can rest with God. Centering Prayer is different from other meditation because of its intention. It calls for a prayerful “yes” to the presence and action of God. But, it is similar to other forms of meditation in its call for a quiet time each day. In my blog, I described the proven health benefits that come from conventional meditation. It thrills me to speculate on the secondary health benefits that may also result from Centering Prayer.

• Here is the critical step: practice trusting God. A good way to start is by devoting some of your precious time, whether it be two or 20 minutes, to daily prayer of any kind—or to increase your current prayer time. This can be a challenging surrender of control over your time, trusting God that you will have enough left-over time to fulfill your responsibilities. This is one way to help you learn to trust God. The more you trust and surrender your problems to God, the less you will have to worry about; the less you worry, the less stress. And less stress means better health!

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