Summer is coming to an end and fall is just around the corner. With cooler weather, color-changing leaves, warm spicy beverages and the start of school, fall has always been a great time for me to reset. In fact, all of my most successful “get healthy” campaigns have taken place in autumn — which happens to be my favorite season.
In the world of electronics, a “reset” is the restoration of an electronic device to its original system state brought about by erasing all of the information stored on the device. The reset I’m proposing is similar and intended to take us back to a healthy default mode in one or more areas of our lives. This healthy “default mode” is obviously something more closely aligned with God’s design for us.
Fall provides the perfect opportunity to start new routines, cut out unhealthy habits, and make some strides toward better physical, spiritual and mental health. A good reset involves aligning the daily actions of your life with your overall goals and desires. For example, if a goal is to get in shape, you may change up your diet while making time in your schedule to exercise. If you’re trying to beef up your spiritual life, you might commit to a Bible-reading plan or find a way to serve at church.
Keep it simple
For many of us, the last few years have been challenging. I know my stress is higher than usual, and I’ve had a more difficult time settling into an all-around healthy routine. One area where I know I need a reset is not eating a “fourth meal” (as in the meal I eat after dinner but before going to bed). This practice was super-comforting during quarantine, but not good for my metabolism. This month I will be doing a two-week health reset with some other women that focuses on eating real, nutritious food and incorporating daily exercise into my life.
Think about an area where you need a reset. Is it physical, spiritual, social, emotional? Maybe it’s a combination of all of them. Below are 20 ways to reset this fall. When you’re finished reading, jot down some of your own ideas.
- Drink a full glass of water when you wake up and before going to bed
- Take a week (or longer) off social media
- Learn to make a new recipe instead of eating out
- Walk for at least 15 minutes a day
- Volunteer at your church
- Cut out sugar, caffeine or another unhealthy substance
- Meet a friend for coffee
- Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you find restful, such as reading a book, journaling or drawing
- Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
- Do something kind for a neighbor
- Read one chapter in Proverbs each day
- Try a new kind of exercise
- Make an appointment with a counselor
- Research how to prepare a healthier version of your favorite meal
- Host a game night or movie night
- Write a list of requests and pray for them each night before bed
- Clean out your closet and donate a bag of clothes
- Join a Bible study or small group
- Practice mindfulness
- Do something with a new friend
No quick fix
The key to a successful reset is not taking matters into your own hands. Making healthy adjustments in your life should not be an attempt to “fix” yourself. You and I are fearfully and wonderfully made, loved, chosen and redeemed, and adequate the way we are.
Resetting in one or multiple areas of life is about allowing the Holy Spirit to help me steward my time, health and body in a way that glorifies God. In 1 Corinthians 6:12 Paul says, “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.”
A key to abundant life in Christ is submitting our whole lives to Him and putting the activities of our days under His control. That means reining in unhelpful habits and unregenerate ways of living and replacing them with God-honoring rhythms. That’s why I’m planning to reset this fall. Care to join me?
Copyright 2021, Suzanne Gosselin. All Rights Reserved.
