EXERCISE

"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Gen. 2:15

"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." John 5:8.

Healthful Living ² page 130 - 131:-

"571 When the weather will permit, all who can possibly do so ought to walk in the open air every day, summer and winter…. A walk, even in winter, would be more beneficial to the health than all the medicine the doctors may prescribe. For those who can walk, walking is preferable to riding. The muscles and veins are enabled better to perform their work. There will be increased vitality, which is so necessary to health. The lungs will have needful action; for it is impossible to go out in the bracing air of a winter’s morning without inflating the lungs. (2T529)

"572 There is no exercise that will prove as beneficial to every part of the body as walking. Active walking in the open air will do more for women, to preserve them in heath if they are well, than any other means. Walking is also one of the most efficient remedies for the recovery of health of the invalid. The hands and arms are exercised as well as the limbs.

573 Exercise will aid the work of digestion. To walk out after a meal, hold the head erect, put back the shoulders, and exercise moderately, will be a great benefit. The mind will be diverted from self to the beauties of nature. The less the attention is called to the stomach after a meal, the better (2T530)

574 Morning exercise, in walking in the free, invigorating air of heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is necessary to a healthful circulation of the blood. It is the surest safeguard against colds, coughs, congestions of the brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred diseases.

577 God designed the living machinery should be in daily activity; for in this activity or motion is its preserving power.

578 By active exercise in the open air every day the liver, kidneys, and lungs also will be strengthened to perform their work (2T533)

579 If invalids who can, would engage in light, useful labour in the open air a portion of each day, they would find physical exercise one of God’s appointed agents for the benefit of man."

Regular vigorous exercise in open air where possible. Minimum 30 minutes, 3 times a week; better daily.

Exercise is an absolute requirement for physical and spiritual development. God needs physically fit people in His spiritual army. We also need spiritual fitness. We need daily physical and spiritual exercise.

Before sin - God planned for man to work in the garden. After sin - He increased his labour to help him overcome sin and develop a good character. We will still need exercise in the New Earth - plant vineyards.

"...the life of toil and care which was henceforth (after sin) to be man’s lot was appointed in love. It was a discipline rendered needful by his sin, to place a check upon the indulgence of appetite and passion, to develop habits of self-control. It was a part of God’s great plan for man’s recovery from the ruin and degradation of sin." P.P. ³ page 59 60.

Posture

"God made man upright, and He desires him to possess not only the physical but the mental and moral benefit, the grace and dignity and self-possession, the courage and self-reliance, which and erect bearing so greatly tends to promote." Ed. ¹ page 198.

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE

Muscles

• Stretching relieves muscle tension.

Heart

• Good muscles help good circulation by their squeezing action on the blood vessels and help the heart muscle to return the venous blood.
• Weak muscles hinder good circulation.
• Regular exercise makes heart muscle stronger and more efficient.
• The arteries that supply the heart and muscle, increase in size.
• When the heart rests it will beat more slowly and allow more resting time.

Circulation

• The circulation may be poor if the hands and feet are cold
• Regular exercise opens up the blood vessels to bring extra oxygen and nutrition the muscles need for increased activity. More blood brings more heat and you get warm.
• Regular exercise makes new blood vessels grow - especially important in the heart muscle.

Digestion

• One of the best treatments for constipation is a long walk - helps moves waste products along bowel.
• People with ulcers helped - helps relieve stress, tension, worry and anger.

Nerves

• Helps balance all parts of the nervous system.

EXERCISE

• Brings more oxygen to cells
• Healing is increased
• Waste product removal speeded up
• Relieves stress
• Relaxes body
• Improves sleep
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps regulate body weight
• Increase metabolic rate
• Makes the heart more efficient
• Normalizes high and low blood pressure
• Improves circulation
• Promotes digestion
• Balances endocrine system
• Increases energy
• Slows aging process
• Increases endurance
• Relieves emotional fatigue
• Increases sense of well being and pain tolerance
• Strengthens bones by helping to keep minerals in balance.

Physical labour increases the IQ - the electric circuits of the brain are brought into use. Manual labour aids youth in developing self government.

Remember - Start gradually if not used to it and build up slowly and increase. Regular out-door work approved by God. Jesus spent nearly six times as much of His life on earth labouring physically as in the direct work of His public ministry.

References

1. Ed. - Education by Ellen G. White.
   
2. H.L. - Healthful Living by Ellen G. White.
   
3. P.P. - Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White.

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