Therapist Tatiana Capanema, specialist in visual health and special education, launches the book “Saúde do Reino”, by Editora Vida. The work offers 12 essential principles for a healthy life, highlighting the importance of balance between body, mind and spirit, according to the WHO definition of health. With exercises, prayers and practical tips, Capanema guides readers to adopt healthy habits and natural therapies, promoting a life with quality, disposition and joy, aligned with the integral well-being that she classifies as the “health of the kingdom”.
Tatiana, your book “Saúde do Reino” presents 12 essential principles for a healthy life. Could you share one of these principles with us and explain why it is so important?
In fact, all of the principles presented in “Saúde do Reino” are extremely important and complement each other to promote a truly healthy and balanced life. However, there is one principle that I put first in the book, as I believe it is the foundation on which all the others stand. This first principle is accepting the inheritance of healing we receive when we become children of God, and aligning our lives with the purposes He designed for us.
When we recognize Jesus’ sacrifice, we not only secure our salvation, but we also open ourselves to the abundant life He desires for us. This includes physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Jesus died so that we could be restored in all areas of our lives, and this inheritance is a gift that we must accept with faith and gratitude.
Aligning with God’s purposes means living according to the plan He has for us, which gives us a deep sense of purpose and direction. When we understand that we are children of God and that He has a specific purpose for each of us, our perspective on life changes completely. We have more energy and vigor, and see our difficulties and challenges in a new light, knowing that we are under the care of a loving Father who wants the best for us.
This principle is so important because it lays the foundation of our identity in Christ. Without this understanding, other principles, such as practicing spiritual disciplines, good stewardship of the body, fasting, and forgiveness, may lose their impact. It all begins with accepting this divine inheritance and deciding to live according to God’s designs.
When we accept the healing heritage and become children of God, we experience an internal transformation that affects all areas of our lives. Our physical health improves as we adopt healthy habits inspired by our faith. Our emotional health strengthens as we free ourselves from guilt and fear, trusting fully in God. And our spiritual health flourishes as we draw closer to God through prayer and Bible reading.
In short, accepting the healing heritage that Jesus offered us is the first and most crucial step to achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. It is from this solid foundation that we can build and integrate all the other principles of “Kingdom Health,” living in ways that honor God and promote complete well-being.
How did your occupational therapy training and specializations influence the approach to this book?
My training in Occupational Therapy was essential for me to discover another side of healthcare. Care for the person as a whole, that is, integrative, preventive, humanized, and that goes beyond focusing only on isolated symptoms.
Occupational therapy focuses on helping people perform everyday activities that are meaningful and essential to their health and well-being. This holistic perspective taught me to value the importance of every aspect of a person’s life, from their physical capabilities to their emotional and spiritual needs. This directly influenced the way I approached the principles of full health in the book, highlighting the need for balance and harmony in all areas of life.
My specializations, which include advanced studies in integrative practices, and natural therapies for the eyes and body, have provided me with additional tools and knowledge to provide practical, informed guidance. For example, understanding the benefits of natural therapies and spiritual disciplines has allowed me to integrate practices like fasting, prayer, and Bible reading in ways that support physical and mental health.
Furthermore, my clinical experience has shown me that physical health problems are often deeply rooted in unresolved emotional and spiritual issues. Working with more than 100,000 students around the world, I have come to realize that true healing requires an approach that goes beyond physical treatment and includes restoration of the soul and spirit.
You mention that pain and illness can be alerts of the mind and spirit. How do you suggest people identify these signs and begin treating the underlying causes?
Pain and illness often act as warning signals from our body, mind and spirit, indicating that something is not in balance.After decades of serving thousands of people with visual and body problems, I can say that every body problem of the people I have helped had an emotional and spiritual root. I have cared, for example, for people who became blind after traumatic events in the family.
So, to identify these signs, you must notice and feel your body. It is important to develop a regular practice of introspection and self-awareness. This can be done through prayer and daily reflection.
Ask yourself, “What am I feeling? What are the predominant thoughts and emotions in my mind?” Physical pain can often be related to unresolved emotions such as anger, fear or sadness.
Another crucial step is to seek divine guidance through Bible reading and prayer. Ask God for discernment to understand what these symptoms may be revealing about your spiritual and emotional state. God’s Word offers wisdom and deep insights about how to deal with our worries and find healing.
Practices such as fasting and meditation on the Word of God can also be very useful. They help us clear our minds, focus on what’s really important and hear God’s voice more clearly. These moments of silence and connection with God can bring revelations about areas of our lives that need attention and healing.
Finally, renew your faith and surrender everything to God. Surrender your fears, your worries, your anxieties and believe that He is taking care of everything.
In “Kingdom Health”, you highlight the importance of spirituality in integral health. Could you explain how spirituality is intertwined with physical and mental well-being?
I believe there are 3 types of health: physical, mental and spiritual. However, there is a hierarchy between them and firstly we must choose to cultivate our Spiritual Health, which is the basis for living in harmony with the other areas of our life.
Spirituality, particularly an active and lived faith, provides a solid foundation for facing life’s challenges and promoting healing in all areas of our being. When we are spiritually anchored in God, we are better able to deal with adversity while maintaining a positive and hopeful outlook.
Furthermore, spiritual practices such as prayer, reading the Word of God, fasting and praise have proven effects in reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. These practices promote a state of calm and relaxation, directly benefiting mental and emotional health.
Spirituality also promotes relational health. Fellowship with other believers and participation in a faith community provide emotional and social support, which is essential for mental health. Knowing that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have a support network strengthens our emotional resilience.
In the book, I discuss how living in obedience to biblical principles and maintaining an intimate relationship with God can transform all areas of our lives. When we align our lives with the teachings of Christ, we experience a renewal of the spirit that is reflected in the body and mind. Faith gives us the strength we need to turn away from harmful habits, seek forgiveness, and live in a healthy and balanced way.
In short, spirituality intertwines with physical and mental well-being by providing a foundation of peace, purpose, and community support, as well as practices that promote holistic health. It is this intertwining that “Kingdom Health” seeks to explore and illuminate, showing that a life lived in spiritual fullness results in complete well-being.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in writing this book and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in writing Kingdom Health was balancing spiritual depth with practical applicability. I wanted to ensure that the book not only talked about spiritual principles in a theoretical way, but also offered concrete, accessible guidance that readers could apply in their daily lives.
To overcome this challenge, I delved deeply into the word of God, seeking to understand how the practical teachings of Jesus and the apostles apply to integral health.
Another important aspect was prayer and the continuous search for divine guidance during the writing process. I asked God for wisdom to convey the message in a clear and impactful way, and so that the book could really touch and transform lives. I believe that this dependence on God and my own experience of healing were fundamental to overcoming the challenges and completing the book successfully.
Could you tell us about a success story of someone who applied the principles in your book and saw significant changes in their health?
For sure! I would like to share two success stories, including my own experience, that exemplify how the principles in Kingdom Health can bring about significant changes in health.
First, I’m going to talk about my own healing. For about a year, I suffered from severe respiratory and allergy problems. Although I was aware of several physical interventions that could help, none of them brought the complete cure I sought. It was only when I gave my life to God and started taking care of my spiritual health that I experienced a true transformation. By aligning my life with God’s purposes, accepting the healing heritage of Jesus, and restoring my faith, I was completely healed of my illness.The transformation I experienced is inexplicable to human eyes, and this personal experience reinforced my conviction about the importance of approaching health holistically, including caring for the spirit.
Another notable story is that of a student who participated in one of the book launch classes. She suffered from cataracts, which were seriously affecting her vision. During the class, we said a prayer of faith, a practice that I teach in the book. To our surprise and joy, the next day she woke up with her vision completely restored, without any sign of cataracts. This healing was a powerful testimony to the power of prayer and faith in God.
Furthermore, I recently received an inspiring testimony from a young woman who lost six kilos after reading the book and applying the principles of good health stewardship. She shared that the book reconnected her with God’s purpose for her life, which strengthened not only her physical health, but also her mental and spiritual health. This reconnection with purpose brought her complete renewal, allowing her to adopt healthy, balanced habits that resulted in significant weight loss and overall well-being. These stories are living examples of how the biblical principles covered in “Kingdom Health” can transform lives.
When I was going through the illness, I never imagined that the Lord had such a special plan and that he would use my pain to heal and transform so many lives. It is a privilege to be able to witness God’s actions and see how these principles can impact lives in such a powerful way.
You offer practical tips in the book, such as replacing harmful habits with natural therapies. What are some of the simplest substitutions people can start implementing today?
There are several healthy practices that can replace harmful habits. I understand that some good habits, such as having a healthy diet or establishing regular exercise, are more difficult to incorporate into your routine, but many of the practices I teach in the book are easy, cost absolutely nothing and can be implemented. immediately. Here are some of the simplest substitutions people can start implementing today:
- Daily Sunbath: Open the window and sunbathe for 10 minutes, this practice is an excellent way to lift your spirits and obtain vitamin D, essential for bone health and the functioning of the immune system. Swap the closed room for a balcony and enjoy the sunlight.
- Adequate Rest: Swap work and worry for a good night’s sleep. Remember: those who take care of you don’t sleep, so rest and trust in God.
- Consumption of Teas and Herbs: Replacing invasive treatments and medication abuse with herbal teas can be very beneficial. God left us all resources in nature, in the form of food and plants. Before consuming something that is harmful to you, seek to know and consume these natural riches.
These simple substitutions can have a major impact on physical, mental, and spiritual health, aligning with the principles of comprehensive health I present in “Kingdom Health.”
How is your experience as a pastor and worship minister reflected in the guidance you give in the book?
My experience as a pastor and worship minister plays a key role in the guidance I offer in the book “Kingdom Health.” Over the years, I have had the privilege of accompanying countless people on their spiritual and health journeys, witnessing firsthand the profound connection between body, soul and spirit. As a pastor, I understand the struggles and challenges many face, and this enables me to offer practical, spiritually grounded counsel in God’s Word.
Worship ministry, in turn, taught me about the transformative power of worship and God’s presence in healing and well-being. Praise has a powerful impact on emotional and spiritual health, fostering an environment where the Holy Spirit can work deeply. This is reflected in the book through the emphasis on the importance of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, praise and meditation on the Word of God, to promote comprehensive health.
Both experiences gave me a unique perspective on how faith and spirituality can influence physical health. In the book, I share practical and spiritual principles that not only help heal the body, but also restore the soul and spirit. My mission is to offer a balanced, faith-based approach that helps people achieve full health, in accordance with God’s purpose for each of us.
“Kingdom Health” also contains exercises and prayers. Can you give us an example of an exercise or prayer from the book that you find particularly powerful?
The book has many beautiful and powerful prayers. I believe that whoever prays with faith will receive an answer from God. But if I could choose one prayer, it would be: “Jesus, I welcome you into my life and I accept the Kingdom Health you have for me. I’m sorry for the time I spent away, but I’m here and I want you to reign in my life. I believe that you are Lord, that you have overcome death for my salvation and that, because of this, I have already received healing. I wish to receive your inheritance!”
This is, for me, one of the most special prayers in the book. I prayed this prayer, accepted Jesus as my Savior, and said yes to receive all the Inheritance of healing He had in store for me. I’m sure that, just like it happened to me, whoever says this prayer with faith will begin to notice God’s blessings and care in every detail of their day.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone starting the journey to achieving holistic health as described in your book?
Believe! Keep God’s promises alive in your heart. God created us to have abundant life in all areas of our lives. I saw with my own eyes that there is a way to be fully healthy. So, believe! Faith is the foundation of all true transformation. When we place our trust in God and accept the heritage of healing that Jesus offered us, we open the door to a life of fulfillment and well-being.
Remember that faith is the element that unites all these aspects. When we trust God, we find the strength to persevere, the wisdom to make healthy choices, and the courage to face challenges. Faith reminds us that we are not alone on this journey and that God wants to see us living an abundant and healthy life.
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