Reform Your Mental Health with Reform’s Nine Wellness Pillars
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 children in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. Many of us don’t have to look beyond our inner circle of family and friends to see the reality of these numbers, and yet, we also know that what is common is not necessarily what is normal. Though we may have grown accustomed to the many symptoms of mental dis-ease – lack of motivation, fatigue, isolation, insomnia, heart palpitations, and many more, it is important to remember that we don’t have to accept these symptoms as normal, and most importantly, that there is always hope for healing in the Lord.
In considering how to best support emotional and psychological health, we must consider the whole person, body, and soul. We are not souls without bodies nor bodies without souls. Each of us is beautifully complex and unique, and our life, experiences, and health circumstances are nuanced and diverse. To heal Christ-centered and holistically, we invite you to consider all the various parts of your life that could be contributing to dis-ease and learn how implementing Reform’s Wellness Pillars can support you on the healing journey.
“What is it you want to change? Your hair, your face, your body? Why? For God is in love with all those things and he might weep when they are gone.”
— St. Catherine of Siena
Faith
To be truly well, regardless of diagnosis or symptoms, we must place Jesus at the center of all aspects of our well-being. He is the Divine Physician and all healing ultimately comes through Him. We are hopeful in knowing that there is no fear, anxiety, or sadness that He has not first experienced before us.
We invite you to offer the first fruits of your day to the Lord by spending the first 30 minutes in prayer, scripture, and silence.
Sleep
Sleep is not a weakness nor is it a luxury, and it’s not something that must be earned by a specific amount of productivity. It is a necessity for the well-being of our whole person. It restores the body, mind, and soul and allows us the strength to continue living an ordered and Christ-centered life.
We invite you to implement an evening routine and unplug from all technology for at least 1 hour before bed.
Stress Management
Stress is both a cause and effect of mental illness and in a culture that glorifies productivity and busy-ness, we often expect ourselves to do more and more at the expense of our peace. To find healing in body and soul, it’s essential to reform how we respond to stressors and create a life of simplicity and calm.
We invite you to build a simple daily schedule that creates order and calm for your brain.
Functional Movement
Movement has a profound impact on our mental health and can improve sleep, increase endorphins, reduce anxiety and depression, and prevent cognitive decline. We desire to move in a way that honors the dignity of our body and strengthens our whole person.
We invite you to commit to a 30 minute walk outside each day.
Nutrition
There is an intricate connection between the gut– how we digest, absorb, and utilize nutrients– and the brain. Nourishing our body with whole, real, and nutrient dense foods provides the brain with the necessary fuel to function optimally.
We invite you to prioritize whole foods and to limit sugar and processed foods as often as possible.
Personal Growth
For us to grow closer to Christ and grow into the person we were made by Him to be, we have to make a shift and learn to look at ourselves through God’s eyes–and ultimately see ourselves as God sees us. We are not our disease and He has not made us for anything less than the fullness of life that He brings.
We invite you to prayerfully reclaim your identity in Christ: you are who Jesus says you are, His beloved.
Play
In seasons of emotional and psychological suffering, laughter and play can feel far away yet it is precisely in these seasons that we need that joy the most. Play is an opportunity to connect to the present moment and surrender our worries and fears to the Lord. In doing so, we are reminded that we are His children, that He is in control and that He is worthy of our trust
We invite you to play each week by prioritizing the activities that are life-giving and joyful for you.
Community
People are medicine for our whole-person well-being and they are a necessary part of the journey to healing. We weren’t meant to live in isolation or self-reliance. We were made to sharpen each other in virtue, share one another's burdens, and be a conduit of God’s grace for others.
We invite you to share your sufferings with another for support and accountability.
Space
Space is an invitation to return to simplicity and that which is truly essential. When our minds feel cluttered and disordered internally, it is often an indication that there is disorder externally as well. With more space in our lives, we have less stress from work, deeper relationships with our friends and family, and the freedom to grow closer to God.
We invite you to eliminate excess possessions, commitments, and thoughts and reflect on what is truly essential.
Suffering, whether physical, spiritual, or psychological, is inevitable in this life. But even in the pain, suffering can teach us the greatest secret of sanctity: that is, in the mystical Body of Christ, we never suffer alone. As St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it” (1 Cor 12:26). When we allow the Lord to redeem our sufferings, He provides purpose to our crosses—and by uniting our daily sacrifices to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can play a beautiful, mysterious role in His redemption of the world.
If you are interested in learning more about a Christ-centered approach to mental health, we invite you to view our recent summit, Reform Your Mental Health. Access is donation based and all proceeds will benefit Reform Alms, our 501(c) nonprofit that offers financial support to clergy, religious, schools, and individuals pursuing Christ-centered wellness through Reform.
