The tendency to impatience and irritability in midmorning may not be due to lack of prayer but to lack of a good breakfast. Artificial coloring and flavorings in processed foods have recently been shown to cause hyperactivity in children. According to Dr. Ben Feingold of the Kaiser Permanente, they tend to be restless, naughty, quarrelsome and often dishonest. Exercise is one of the best remedies for tension, anxiety, depression and hypochondria. It improves psychological stability.
Adequate sleep is also very important for a right mental attitude and a healthy personality.
Prolonged sleep deprivation will cause apathy, depression, irritability and aggression. We could give many more illustrations of how improper treatment of the body affects the mind and, inevitably, the spiritual life. Obviously, no Christian interested in his spiritual health should ignore sensible living habits. Mental Habits and Spirituality Others are mentally and spiritually sick because of their mental and emotional habits. They expect the mind to be healthy when they never give it any stern exercise, grappling with difficult problems, new thoughts, or questions of truth.