GUARDING YOUR HEART FOR A HEALTHIER YOU

Exercise, eat healthy, and quit smoking are just a few of the great tips your doctor would likely give at the end of a cardiovascular visit. I think “manage your emotions” would be a great addition to that list.

The way we react to life’s experiences signals that our minds and hearts are directly connected, and that we must be able to guard our hearts to prevent our thoughts from sabotaging our health. Guarding our hearts is a biblical truth which we are encouraged to obey. “Above all else, guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

Guarding our hearts is the purposeful act of shielding our minds and bodies from negative influences, toxic behaviors, and thoughts that are just not life-giving. However, this does not permit us to hide behind walls and become anti-social, cold, and distant, nor should it foster fear of taking risks in building relationships.

When we speak of the heart, we are referring to our emotional center where feelings, thoughts, and reasoning dwell. Our thoughts control our attitudes, attitudes lead to actions, and these actions determine our achievements. Unfortunately, our thoughts are developed from encounters and experiences which are not always positive, and while negative emotions can create enough discomfort to lead us in making some necessary personal adjustments, they can also find ways to dwell in our hearts and affect our lives and livelihood.

The truth is that we may not be able to control our feelings in certain situations, but we can learn to connect the brain with our heart, and in so doing control our reactions. The extent to which we can control our emotions will not only guard our heart but also have a positive impact on our health and by extension the way we execute our jobs, attend to our families, and relate to our friends. As we put this into practice, here are a few tips: