Exercise — The 8 Laws of Health

1Introduction

"The health reform is an important part of the third angel's message; and as a people professing this reform, we should not retrograde, but make continual advancement. It is a great thing to ensure health by placing ourselves in right relations to the laws of life." — ML 128.2

"Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them..." — Ministry of Healing 127

"Proper exercise is one of God's physicians." — CH 261.2

"Education should be given on proper diet, dress, and exercise... our own people be educated... according to God's order..." — CD 406.4

Note: According to Lee Wellard at Wildwood Lifestyle Center, exercising too vigorously can cause the body to produce blood clots and affect fibrinolysin, an enzyme involved in blood clotting. This can lead to heart attacks. Remember 1 Corinthians 9:25: "...every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things" — this includes exercise.

"There is no exercise that can take the place of walking. By it the circulation of the blood is greatly improved." — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 78 (1871)

"Walking, in all cases where it is possible, is the best remedy for diseased bodies, because in this exercise all the organs of the body are brought into use." — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 78 (1871)

2When to Walk

"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, congestion of brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases." — ML 136.5
"A short walk after a meal, with the head erect and the shoulders back, exercising moderately, is a great benefit..." — CD 103.3
"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..." — 2T 530.1

3Where to Walk

"...Should practice exercising out of doors in walking..." — 3T 78.1

"Those who accustom themselves to proper exercise in the open air will generally have a good and vigorous circulation." — ML 136.4

"Go out and exercise in the open air every day, even though some things indoors have to be neglected." — ML 136.6

4Why Outdoors?

"Rooms that are not freely ventilated daily... are not fit for use... not admitting pure air and the rays of the sun. It is dangerous to health and life... until the outside air shall have circulated through them for several hours... Every room... should be thoroughly ventilated every day. Every room... should be daily thrown open to the healthful rays of the sun, and the purifying air should be invited in. This will be a preventive of disease... The confined air of unventilated rooms meets us with sickening odors of mildew and the impurities exhaled by its inmates... are poisonous to the system." — HL 142.2

Studies show that exercising outdoors in the sunshine can strengthen the heart 100 times more than working out in a gym. According to these studies, outdoor exercise has a more positive effect on the heart.

5How to Walk

"...taking a brisk walk in the open air..." — HR, November 1, 1880 par. 19

"Brisk, yet not violent exercise in the open air, with cheerfulness of spirits, will promote the circulation, giving a healthful glow to the skin, and sending the blood, vitalized by the pure air, to the extremities. The diseased stomach will find relief by exercise..." — 2T 530.2

"A short walk after a meal, with the head erect and the shoulders back, exercising moderately, is a great benefit..." — CD 103.3

"To engage in deep study or violent exercise immediately after eating, hinders the digestive process..." — CD 103.3

6The Importance of Exercise

How Much Walking is Enough?

"Hours should be spent EACH DAY in walking or in working in the open air when the weather will permit..." — HR, April 1, 1872 par. 5

A minimum of two hours of outdoor exercise can be achieved by walking at least 2-3 miles daily, taking 10-15 minute walks after each meal, and engaging in some outdoor work. Aim for 10,000 steps per day.

What Happens Without Exercise?

"It is the inaction of the human machinery that BRINGS SUFFERING AND DISEASE." — ML 136.3

"More people die for want of exercise than through overfatigue; VERY MANY MORE RUST OUT THAN WEAR OUT..." — ML 136.4

"WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXERCISE NO ONE CAN HAVE... VIGOROUS HEALTH..." — CT 307.2

"In some cases, WANT OF EXERCISE CAUSES THE BOWELS AND MUSCLES TO BECOME ENFEEBLED AND SHRUNKEN, and these organs that have become enfeebled for want of use will be strengthened by exercise..." — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 78 (1871)

What About the Sick?

"Those who are feeble and indolent should not yield to their inclination to be inactive, thus depriving themselves of air and sunlight, but should practice exercising out of doors in walking or working in the garden. They will become very much fatigued, but this will not injure them... It is not good policy to give up the use of certain muscles because pain is felt when they are exercised. The pain is frequently caused by the effort of nature to give life and vigor to those parts that have become partially lifeless through inaction. The motion of these long-disused muscles will cause pain, because nature is awakening them to life." — CH 200.1

"If invalids would recover health, they should not discontinue physical exercise." — 2T 528.1

"Many sick people can NEVER get well without exercise." — 3T 76

Other Quotes on Exercise

Health requires regular exercise. — CD 444
Mental health requires exercise. — 2T 413
Exercise is a powerful agent in the recovery of health. — ML 136

7Benefits of Exercise (30)

Hover each card for details

1 Beneficial in treating colds 2T 530

2 Equalizes blood circulation MH 238

3 Quickens blood circulation CH 199-200

4 Sends blood to extremities 2T 530

5 Strengthens body organs MH 239

6 Strengthens bowels 3T 78

7 Relieves brain weariness 3T 152

8 Aids digestion 2T 413

9 Gives digestive organs a healthy tone CD 103

10 Prevents disease MM 81

11 Helps diseased persons CG 343

12 Relieves diseased stomach 2T 530

13 Invigorates the entire human system MM 107

14 Expels impurities 2T 529

15 Improves girls' minds and bodies 1T 686-687

16 Gives life and strength to invalids 2T 530-531

17 Strengthens kidneys 2T 533

18 Strengthens liver 2T 533

19 Keeps lungs in good condition MH 238

20 Strengthens lungs 2T 533

21 Healthfully influences the mind 1T 394

22 Gives muscles tone 1T 448

23 Strengthens muscles CH 199-200

24 Benefits nerves of sick people MM 296

25 Aids recovery from sickness MH 240

26 A REMEDY FOR DISEASE MM 225

27 Gives skin a healthful glow 2T 530

28 Helps regain body heat HL 190.1

29 Works off waste matter accumulating in the system 3T 310

30 Protects youth from secret vice 2T 348-349

8Who Needs Exercise?

References: CG 390, MH 238, MM 292, 1T 515, 4T 94, 2T 530, CH 564, 3T 235, FE 60-61, MM 297, MH 309, CG 339-44, Ed 210, CT 281, HL 190.1, 3T 150, FE 114