Watch above, or read below.
We’ve been walking through a series looking at depression through a holistic lens. Today we’ll weave together everything we’ve explored into my Health Stewardship framework – a tool to anchor your healing journey in faith.
Throughout the series, we’ve examined how to approach depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges with a blend of faith and practical wisdom. Let’s explore how these insights align within the four pillars of health stewardship.
Faith & Mindset
We’ll start with our foundation of faith and the mindset pillar. In the first video of the series we reviewed six mindset shifts. By choosing gratitude, surrender, and a Christ-centered life, we direct our minds from despair toward His new mercies. During our dark nights, we can trust that the sun will rise again, and His mercies are new every morning.
Choosing gratitude is the first step – the first shift. Start by looking with intention to see how God is providing and working in your life. What can you thank God for today, in this moment? Anytime you catch yourself spiraling in your thoughts, pause and look for gratitude. Go back and review that first video for other faith shifts that can make a huge difference.
These shifts have been such a help to me over the past couple of months as we are in the midst of some big changes. It’s so easy to get anxious and frustrated in the waiting. But when I pause to look for God, I’m amazed at the small provisions and confirmations. He’s there, providing and sanctifying, even in the midst of the storm.
Move, Breathe, & Go Outside
Next is the body care pillar. Remember our discussion on movement, breathing, and getting outside in God’s creation? These simple actions are powerful tools for lifting your mood, energy, and motivation. On days when I’m feeling emotionally drained or just physically tired, I find I feel much better after I get up, walk outside, take some deep breaths, and spend some time in the sunshine. Taking these steps after intentionally choosing those faith shifts can make such a difference in how you feel. If you live somewhere with little to no sunlight for a season, invest in a sun-mimicking lamp to help you through.
Reducing Toxins in the Kitchen
From here we’ll shift to the toxins pillar by taking a look at what foods are in your pantry and fridge. In the third video we took a look at the correlation between ultra-processed foods and mental health struggles. As you begin to make some swaps, reducing these from your regular diet, you can reduce this toxic load on your body and brain. Three simple steps you can take:
Pick three foods from your pantry and fridge and read the ingredient list. Start with awareness of what is in the food products you are regularly consuming.
Pick one of those foods to swap with a whole food option.
Continue to make one swap at a time, gradually reducing the toxic load on your body and mind.
If you need some guidance on what ingredients to watch out for, I have a free guide listing the top culprits to look out for on packaged food labels. You can find that in the resource section at the end of this article.
Something I did not cover are hormone disrupting chemicals in other products you may be using. There haven’t been studies specific to these and mental health, but they are definitely impacting your overall health. We’ll talk about that another day.
Nourish Brain & Body
The natural next step moves you over to the nutrition pillar. In the fourth video I reviewed specific nutrients that support your brain. As you reduce ultra-processed foods, you can prioritize the foods that have these nutrients to improve your overall health.
In the fifth video we considered how your gut health impacts your mental health and what foods can heal your gut lining and re-balance your microbiome for better mental health. Stick with me on this channel for future videos on making and sourcing these foods that support both physical and mental well-being. Comment or message me what you’d like us to cover next.
Considering Medication and the Nutrition & Toxin Pillars
I believe making these lifestyle changes across the four pillars of health stewardship will make a huge difference in both your mental and physical health that you will feel over time. However, in the sixth video we discussed the option to utilize medication. It is important to carefully consider and monitor the impacts that medication will have on your toxin and nutrition pillars.
It’s also important to remember that you are the steward of your body, it’s your responsibility. Take an active roll with your trusted practitioner and consider the four questions I laid out in the sixth video to help you think through that decision.
If you do choose medication for a season, make sure you support your body’s elimination pathways to handle the extra toxic load and include plenty of those nutrient dense foods to try to keep up with the depletion from the medication. I will have more videos coming on both nutrition, and helping your body deal with this toxic world.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude this series, I hope you’ve found guidance, encouragement, and hope through these discussions. Our journey towards healing is deeply personal, a tapestry of the spiritual and practical woven together. The four pillars of health stewardship - mindset, body care, toxins, and nutrition - serve as a road-map to guide you through the complexities of mental health, all with faith as your foundation.
Remember, this isn’t about a quick fix; it’s about nurturing a lifestyle that supports your overall well-being. Lean into these practices one step at a time, knowing that each deliberate choice brings you closer to balance and strength. It’s important to be gentle with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.
Ultimately, our goal is to live fully and serve as God calls, grounded in His love and equipped to face life’s challenges. Whether it’s by shifting your perspective, nourishing your body, reducing harmful exposures, or thoughtfully considering medical options, every step is significant.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I invite you to stay connected by subscribing for more content focused on practical tips and spiritual insights. Share your stories and experiences with our community, and let’s support one another as we align our lives with hope and healing.
May God bless you with peace, strength, and the courage to embrace each new day with trust and gratitude.
