Resisting Sexual Temptationናሙና

Getting Your Needs Met - Body 

Have you ever been thinking about your life late at night and started to get really dramatic thoughts? All the sudden you’re wondering how you got here, if you’ll ever get the job or the life you really want, or if the hero of that Netflix show will ever get off the island he’s stranded on. You start thinking life cannot go on until you get all these things resolved. Then you fall asleep and wake up the next day thinking, “Eh. It’ll all work out.” All of a sudden, things don’t feel so bad.
 

This is what happens when we take care of our physical bodies. When we’re well-rested, full of healthy food, and our bodies are getting everything they need, life just feels better. If your emotions are all over the place, you’re stressed all the time, or you’re constantly tempted to make unhealthy decisions, ask yourself a few questions:
 

Am I getting enough sleep?
Am I exercising?
Am I spending time outside in the sun?
Am I eating healthy?
Am I drinking enough water?
Am I getting enough human contact?
 

A lot of times we mistake sex as a physical need, and it is not. It can feel that way because our other needs aren’t getting met. Sex releases endorphins in our body like dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin. This may sound crazy, but in those moments, you feel like you’re ready to make out with the next person you see, or you want to act out sexually, you need to find another way to get endorphins released. Go for a run, put some music on, eat some really great chocolate, or watch some funny videos on YouTube. All of these things release endorphins.
 

It’s easy to overlook the physical needs when it feels like something spiritual or emotional is going on, but we are made up of a spirit, soul, and body. You can’t neglect one part without hurting the other parts. Our challenge for you today is to do things to invest in your physical body. Be aware of the food you’re giving yourself. Take time to exercise or be outside. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and plenty of water. Taking care of your body makes a huge difference!