NVL BIGGER THAN FOOD × Self Care Mental Health Challenge
Starting Your Day Rooted in Truth
How do you begin your day?
We’ve been exploring simple practices that can make a meaningful difference—and one powerful habit is the Morning Affirmation. Dedicating just 5 minutes at the start of your day to speak life over yourself can create a major shift.
But what makes these affirmations truly transformative?
It’s when they’re rooted in the unshakable truth of who God says you are.
Think about it: GOD declared, “I am who I am.”
That’s the ultimate self-definition—pure, divine clarity.
As His children, fearfully and wonderfully made by the Most High, we are called to stand firmly in our God-given identity.
Let that truth shape your morning declarations—not your feelings or circumstances, but His word and His workmanship.
Affirm with Confidence:
I am worthy – because He made me.
I am growing – because He is shaping me.
I am enough – because He is my strength and portion.
I am loved – unconditionally and eternally.
I am necessary – with purpose in His Kingdom.
I am an amazing mom – by His grace and guidance.
I am a devoted partner – walking in love as He loves the Church.
I am an intentional and resilient businesswoman – empowered by His Spirit and called to steward my gifts.
Make this a daily rhythm. Just 5 minutes, grounded in Christ, can center your mind and spirit for the day ahead.
Try it tomorrow—and watch what happens!
#HonorYourMindBBC #BiggerThanFood #MorningAffirmations #IdentityInChrist #FaithJourney #DailyPractice #WonderfullyMade #GodsTruth
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Hydration Check – Fuel Your Focus Water isn’t just for physical health—it’s mental clarity in liquid form.
💧 Today’s challenge is simple but powerful:
👉 Drink at least 8 glasses of water (64 oz)
Why? Because your brain and body need hydration to function at their best. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, and headaches. When you’re well-hydrated, you think clearer, feel more energized, and improve your mood regulation.
🧠 Hydration = Mental Health Support
Water helps:
Improve concentration + memory
Regulate mood
Reduce anxiety symptoms
Support digestion + nutrient absorption
💡 How Much Water Do You Need?
Here’s a quick formula:
Your weight (in lbs) ÷ 2 = daily ounces of water needed
➡️ Example: 160 lbs ÷ 2 = 80 oz per day
That’s about 10 glasses of water.
But don’t stress—just start where you are. Keep a water bottle near you. Add lemon, mint, or cucumber if it helps you enjoy it more.
Today’s Focus:
✔️ Drink at least 8 glasses
✔️ Bonus: Try the hydration formula to find your personal target
✔️ Share a photo of your water setup or your hydration win with us!
Because staying hydrated is bigger than food—it’s honoring the vessel that carries your purpose.
#BiggerThanFood #HonorYourMindBBC #NVLChallenge #HydrationChallenge #DrinkWaterDaily #MentalHealthMatters #MindBodySpirit #SelfCareReset
Digital Detox Hour: The Power of Stepping Away
Did you miss us in our silence?
We’re back—and we come bearing extra credit! We didn’t just unplug for one hour… we took most of the day off. Phones down. Tabs closed. Notifications silenced. And honestly? It was so needed.
In a world where connection is at our fingertips, it’s easy to confuse being “plugged in” with being present. But let’s be real—constant screen time doesn’t always feed us. Sometimes it drains us. Sometimes it overwhelms us. Sometimes we scroll through everyone else’s highlight reels while forgetting to check in with our own heartbeat.
Today’s self-care challenge is simple:
Unplug from social media and screens for 1 hour.
That’s it. Just one hour. Set the timer, step back, and breathe.
🧠 Why It Matters (And Why We Recommend It)
As part of Novice Vegan Life, we believe nourishment goes beyond food—it’s how we feed our minds, protect our peace, and stay grounded in our purpose. And as your Mental Health Minister at Bethlehem Baptist Church, I see firsthand how spiritual and emotional clarity can get lost in the noise.
So let’s talk benefits of a digital detox, NVL-style:
✨ 1. Mental Clarity
Less screen time = less stimulation. This allows your brain to reset, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. You’ll be amazed how quiet your mind feels without the digital buzz.
🧘🏽 2. Mood Reset
Unplugging interrupts the cycle of comparison, doom-scrolling, and digital fatigue. It creates space to hear your own thoughts—and maybe even be kinder to them.
⛅ 3. Spiritual Sensitivity
When the world gets quiet, God gets louder. Silence isn’t empty; it’s sacred. Use your hour to pray, meditate, or simply listen.
🌱 4. More Presence
Stepping away from your device helps you step into your life. Whether it’s noticing the wind, your child’s laughter, or your own breath—presence is peace.
🪞 5. Self-Awareness
Noticing how you feel during your detox can tell you a lot. Are you restless? Relieved? Bored? Inspired? That awareness is a gift—pay attention.
💡Try This:
Put your phone in another room.
Go for a walk. Journal. Drink water slowly.
Sit in silence. Talk to God. Talk to yourself.
Then… reflect. How do you really feel?
🫶🏾 We’re Still Here (Even When We’re Quiet)
Digital detox doesn’t mean disconnecting from your community—it means reconnecting with yourself so you can come back stronger. This challenge isn’t about shame or guilt. It’s about healing habits that serve you.
We’re proud of you for showing up for yourself today. And if you’re reading this after your detox hour? Welcome back. We missed you, too.
#BiggerThanFood #HonorYourMindBBC #NVLChallenge #DigitalDetox #MentalHealthMatters #MindBodySpirit #SelfCareReset
🌼Gratitude Journal: A Soft Reset for the Soul
Let’s take it back to the basics.
Today’s challenge is simple but powerful:
Write down 3 things you're grateful for today.
That’s it. No pressure for deep poetry or perfect words.
Just… pause and notice.
📝 What made you smile today?
🍽️ What did you eat that comforted you?
👂🏾 Who checked in on you—or who did you think of?
In both Novice Vegan Life and the Mental Health Ministry, we believe gratitude is more than a good habit—it’s healing. It softens the hard stuff and brings light to even the smallest joys.
What gratitude does:
💛 Shifts your focus from lack to abundance
🧠 Improves sleep, mood, and stress
🌱 Strengthens resilience
🙏🏾 Makes room for God to meet you where you are
✨ Extra Credit: Say your list out loud. Let your ears hear what your heart feels.
Share one thing you are grateful for on Social Media using our tags.
Your words might be the reminder someone else needs.
#NVLChallenge #GratitudeJournal #SelfCareMay #NoviceVeganLife #MentalHealthMinistry #HonorYourMindBBC
💃🏾 Move Your Body: Give Yourself a Gentle Yes
Prompt: Take a 20-minute walk, dance, or stretch.
Movement doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective.
Today is about honoring your body—not pushing it.
At Novice Vegan Life, we view movement as a form of gratitude.
And in the Mental Health Ministry, we recognize it as a sacred release. When you move your body with intention, you're not just exercising—you’re exhaling.
Why Gentle Movement Matters:
💃🏾 Releases tension stored in the body
🧠 Boosts clarity and shifts mental fog
💓 Encourages endorphins and emotional reset
🌿 Reminds you that your body is worthy of care, not criticism
Your Invitation:
Take a 20-minute walk and observe the world around you
Turn on a song you love and let yourself move freely
Stretch slowly and let your breath lead the rhythm
Whether you sway, stroll, or stretch, this moment of motion is your reminder:
You’re alive. You’re in your body. You are not behind.
This isn’t about burning calories—it’s about building connection.
To your breath. To your spirit. To the present.
Reflection Prompt:
What did your body need today—and how did you honor that need through movement?
We’re here for the graceful, non-judgmental wins. Every stretch counts.
#MoveWithPurpose #NVLChallenge #HonorYourMindBBC #SelfCareTips #SacredMovement
🌬️ Breathe Deeply: Let Peace In, Let Pressure Out
Prompt: Practice 5 minutes of intentional deep breathing.
You deserve five minutes.
Not five minutes of multitasking. Not five minutes of catching up.
Just five minutes… to breathe.
Intentional breathing is one of the most accessible forms of self-care we have. It’s free, it’s quiet, and it travels with us everywhere.
At Novice Vegan Life, we think of breath as the body’s first form of nourishment. And through the Mental Health Ministry, we recognize deep breathing as both a healing tool and a spiritual reset.
Why Deep Breathing Matters:
🌬️ Helps regulate anxiety and stress
🧠 Clears mental fog and increases focus
💓 Calms the nervous system and lowers heart rate
🙏🏾 Creates stillness to hear from God
Try This Mini Reset:
Sit or lie down in a quiet space.
Place one hand on your chest, the other on your belly.
Inhale for 4 counts.
Hold for 4 counts.
Exhale slowly for 6 counts.
Repeat for 5 minutes.
You may feel lighter, calmer, or simply more present.
And if it feels hard to focus at first—that’s okay. Keep breathing anyway.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about permission—to slow down, to reconnect, to care for yourself in the most basic way.
Need a little more structure?
Try pairing this with soft instrumental music or nature sounds.
Or whisper a short prayer on each inhale and exhale.
💬 What changed after you gave yourself this pause?
We invite you to reflect, share, or journal what came up for you.
#BreatheDeeply #NoviceVeganLife #HonorYourMindBBC #MindfulMoments #SelfCareEveryDay
🪞Check-In With Yourself: Ask the Real Question
As I write this, my feverish baby is wrapped to my chest, sniffling and stirring. I’m tired—soul tired. Disconnected from joy, running on fumes, but fiercely committed to comforting my little one through this fog of congestion and cuddles.
If I’m honest? I’ve been on the back burner for a while.
Mom-life. Work-life. Ministry. Business.
Everyone's needs, everywhere—except my own.
And yet… in these quiet moments while she sleeps, I remember to breathe.
Today’s challenge isn’t about productivity.
It’s a pause—an invitation to check in and ask:
“How am I really doing today?”
✨This question isn’t small.
It’s sacred. It creates space for clarity, compassion—and God.
At Novice Vegan Life, we teach that real growth starts with real awareness. And as a coach, I've learned that naming your emotions doesn't make you weak - it makes you wise.
Sometimes, overwhelm doesn’t need a fix.
It just needs acknowledgment.
Why Self Check-Ins Matter:
🪞 Help you identify emotional needs early
🧠 Reduce internal overwhelm and burnout
🙏🏾 Deepen spiritual reflection and honesty
🌿 Support emotional resilience over time
Try This Practice Today:
- Find a quiet moment
- Place your hand on your heart
- Gently ask, “How am I really doing today?”
- Don’t force a solution. Just listen
Whether your answer is joyful, uncertain, heavy, or numb—you are still worthy of care, still connected to purpose, and still growing.
📓 Bonus Tip: Write your answer down or voice note it to yourself. It may become the blueprint for your next breakthrough.