It’s easy to disconnect the body from the rest of ourselves. We can sometimes see it as a collection of parts rather than who God built us up to be. But taking care of our bodies is a critical step in making sure we’re best equipped to do the work that God has designed us for. When we play sports, faulty or broken equipment isn’t just annoying, it prevents us from playing the game well—if at all.

First Corinthians 12:12 says, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” This whole passage in 1 Corinthians is telling us how important all parts of the body are, and connecting that importance to how valuable all the believers are to each other and to building God’s kingdom. Just as all Christians depend and rely on one another, your whole body relies on you to be as healthy as possible so you can do the very best you can to serve God! If we feel tired or slow or depleted because we’re not taking care of ourselves, we can’t step into everything God has planned for us.

Here are five simple ways that you can begin to take care of your body so you have energy and are ready for God’s plan for your life:

Get morning sunlight: Before you roll over and check your phone, login to your tablet, or flip on the tv while you eat breakfast, go outside and get that beautiful sunshine on your face. Can’t go outside? Step by a window. There’s lots of science-y reasons why this is important and beneficial to your health, but put simply: it wakes up your body, gives you Vitamin D (which helps with energy), and it helps you sleep better at night!

Nourish yourself with colorful food: Just as a car needs gas to go, you need fuel to power your body. Choosing foods that are colorful and that come from the ground is a great place to start. Enjoy what God has given us to nourish our bodies and strengthen our whole selves so that we have the energy to move forward.

Sleep well: Sleep should be protected at all costs. It’s not being lazy, it’s allowing our body to restore itself so we can prepare for the day ahead. Without sleep, our brain doesn’t function properly, we get grumpy or crabby, we lose energy, our work at school declines and so much more. Not getting sleep is hurting your body’s ability to function at the best it possibly can. And you were made to be amazing!

Drink water: Your mom and dad aren’t being annoying when they suggest to drink your water. Did you know your body is more than 50% water?!? But through using the bathroom, sweating, and just keeping ourselves alive, we use up that hydration. It’s important to continue to fuel ourselves with water so our bodies feel better.

Move your body: Part of having energy is using that energy! I’m not just talking about play or sports. Our bodies are meant to move and do work. Now you might not be doing the same kind of work mom and dad are doing. But you were made to move. It’s not easy to accept that we are meant to work. But back in Genesis when God created Adam and Eve, He made them to work. And that’s what we are meant to do as well. School work, sports conditioning, and chores around the house are part of what God gave us energy for!

God built your body wonderfully and strong. He gave you the capacity for energy so that you can love your family better, be a good friend, and fully step into who you were made to be. Scripture tells us to love others as we love ourselves. But we have to love ourselves first. And step one of that process is taking care of our bodies so we have the energy to serve God well!