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Wrong Physical Habits Affect the Brain, May 17
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
.
The character of the food and the manner in which it is eaten exert a powerful
influence on the health. Many ... have never made a determined effort to control
the appetite, or to observe proper rules in regard to eating. Some eat too much at
their meals, and some eat between meals whenever the temptation is presented.
The need of carefulness in habits of diet should be impressed on the minds of
all.... I appeal to all to refuse to eat those things that will injure the health. Thus
they can serve the Lord by sacrifice.
Those who obey the laws of health will give time and thought to the needs of
the body and to the laws of digestion. And they will be rewarded by clearness
of thought and strength of mind. On the other hand it is possible for one to spoil
his Christian experience by abuse of the stomach. Those things that derange the
digestion have a benumbing influence on the finer feelings of the heart.... Every
habit that injures the health reacts upon the mind. That time is well spent which is
directed to the establishment and preservation of sound physical and mental health.
Firm, quiet nerves and a healthy circulation help men to follow right principles
and to listen to the promptings of conscience....
The brain is the citadel of the being. Wrong physical habits affect the brain,
and prevent the attainment of ... good mental discipline. Unless the youth are
versed in the science of how to care for the body as well as for the mind, they
will not be successful students. Study is not the principal cause of breakdown of
the mental powers. The main cause is improper diet, irregular meals, a lack of
physical exercise, and careless inattention in other respects to the laws of health.
When we do all that we can to preserve the health, then we can ask God in faith to
bless our efforts....
The youth should be taught that they are not at liberty to do as they please
with their lives. God will not hold guiltless those who treat lightly His precious
gifts. Men should realize that the greater their endowment of strength, of talent, of
means, or of opportunities, the more heavily should the burden of God’s work rest
upon them, and the more they should do for Him. The youth who are trained to
believe that life is a sacred trust will hesitate to plunge into the vortex of dissipation
and crime that swallows up so many promising young men of this age.—
Counsels
to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 297-300
.
Mental and moral power is dependent upon the physical health.—
Mind, Char-
acter, and Personality 1:61
.
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