Lesson 2: Physical Health

Do you not know that you are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16)?

As we’ve already established in the introduction, if you go to the top of a mountain, God is there. If you go to the bottom of the sea, God is there. Well, you’re there, too. Your body is the one possession you always take with you. Take care of it.

DIET

Many people gain fifteen pounds at the start of their college career. The phenomenon even has a name — the Freshman Fifteen.

What causes the Freshman Fifteen? Is it the combined weight of all of that knowledge you accumulate in your brain? Does your college campus exist in a slightly greater gravitational field than the rest of the world? Is everyone drinking an excess of water? People certainly drink an excess of something at college (see Lesson Twelve), but the cause of the Freshman Fifteen is too much junk food and too little exercise.

Freed from the confines of a standard school meal and the foodstuffs of their household, many college students embark on an odyssey to eat every unhealthy thing imaginable. They have access to pizza at all hours of the day. Fast food restaurants surround the campus, and pop, chips and candy help sooth the stress of studying. It would be wrong to say Christians are forbidden from eating such things, however.

For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him (Romans 14:2-3).

This verse is not saying vegetarians are weak. Rather it is making the distinction between people who believe their religion makes their diet right and the diet of others wrong. God places no such restrictions on people in New Testament times. If you want to be a vegetarian, go for it. If you want to eat junk food, that is also permissible, but one should keep a Biblical principle in mind when it comes to junk food — and everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things (1 Corinthians 9:25).

In other words, enjoy junk food in moderation. Don’t have a whole pizza. Have a slice or two of pizza. Don’t eat hamburgers and fries three times a day, seven days a week. Eat salads, beans, rice and tuna sandwiches, too. Instead of just soda, drink water, milk and juice. Nuts and fruits can also replace chips and candy as study snacks.

According to the famous food pyramid we all learned about in grade school (and have since forgotten), a basic healthy diet should daily include:

Two servings from the dairy group.

Two servings from the meat group.

Three servings from the vegetable group.

Two to four servings from the fruit group.

And six or more servings from the bread/cereal group.

Meanwhile, fats, oils and sweets should be ingested in moderation.

In case you’re wondering, a “serving” is about the size of a deck of cards.

When it comes to calories, men need approximately 2,500 a day to maintain their body weight (a slice of regular-crust pepperoni pizza contains approximately 350 calories). Women require about 1,900 calories a day. These figures are arbitrary, however. They don’t take into account your personal body makeup or physical activity level.

If you want to diet, theoretically cutting 500 calories from your recommended daily intake should result in one pound lost per week. If you are cutting 500 calories from a daily intake of 5,000, it won’t do much good, however. To learn more about a personalized diet that fits your body-type and activity level, visit your college’s health clinic.

EXERCISE

When it comes to exercise, everyone is “going to start Monday.”

Instead of waiting for Monday, start today.

Fortunately, you don’t have to build your own makeshift weights from garbage bags and sand or go running in the snow (even though running in the snow can be fun; try it some time). Most colleges have their very own Wellness Centers, which are free for students. Take advantage and use the Wellness Center staff or the Internet to help you design a personal workout program that is both practical and feasible. If you discover you like it and have time to do more, go for it.

Note: you will get sore. If this is your first time exercising, you’ll get really sore. The soreness passes if you stick with your program, however.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8).

Note the priority in that verse? The Bible says exercise does profit a person, but don’t forget to exercise your faith, as well. Read your Bible. Say your prayers. Go to church. Trust God and ask Him to guide you along the proper path.

SLEEP

College students often become experiments in sleep deprivation due to late-night study sessions…or cramming sessions.

Sometimes cramming sessions are necessary due to overlapping responsibilities. Other times they are the result of poor time management. Three hours of video games in the afternoon can cut into study time. How about one hour of video games in the afternoon? Then you can still get your studying done, go to bed two hours sooner and wake up fresher.

Stress and worry also affect sleep.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:24). In other words, submit your plans and efforts to God in prayer; do your best throughout the day; get as much done as possible, and when you go to sleep, don’t worry. It’s in God’s hands. Studying the Bible and praying will also help keep worry at bay.

In addition, keeping up with your work will assist you in getting sleep. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

A proper diet and exercise contribute to a restful slumber, as well. Not partying every night and waking up with a hangover will also keep fatigue levels minimal.

On the flip side, what if you are getting too much sleep?

How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man (Proverbs 6:9-11).

Eight hours of sleep per night is the recommended amount for optimum health. Eight hours of sleep per night means you spend one-third of your life in bed. No wonder the Bible warns against getting too much of it. You can’t get much done while you’re asleep, so if you’re accumulating more Z’s than A’s, you need to reassess the situation. Maybe you need to stop getting twelve hours of sleep a night, or maybe you need to cut some superfluous activities from your schedule and devote the time to other things.

As Christ said in John 9:4, I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

ILLNESS

Sneezing, coughing, sore throats, flu, funguses and viruses, oh my! Colleges are germ factories, so keep some basic medical supplies on hand.

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities (1 Timothy 5:23).

No, don’t go out and buy a jug of wine for medicinal purposes if you’re not twenty-one (if you are, give it a shot), but here God could just as well be talking about Alka-Seltzer. Here is a list of other health supplies to keep within easy reach.

Aspirin

Cold medication

Cough syrup

Antacids

Band aids

Pepto-Bismol

Kleenex

Decongestants

Vitamin supplement

Medicine is a modern-day miracle from God. He gave mankind the wisdom to develop such products to alleviate their discomfort. Use these resources and thank God for them, for every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17).

Besides off-the-counter medicine, God also gives you access to the college’’s health clinic. If you get really sick, as in a high fever, bad sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, rashes and whatever else, make use of the clinic’s resources.

From a faith standpoint, sickness makes us realize just how precious health is and reminds us to turn to God for relief. Here’s something else to consider — in addition to going to God for help during the days you are sick, how about you thank and praise Him for the many days He lets you be healthy?

As the psalmist writes in Psalm 138:14, I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

HOMEWORK

With God’s help, start developing healthy habits.