What a 7-Day Cleanse Taught Me About Resilience, Energy, and the 1% Better Journey
- unlockbalancedheal
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
If you’ve been following my journey this year, you know my focus is simple: get 1% better every day. Not perfect. Not dramatic. Just consistent progress.
And some weeks? That progress comes through a little discomfort.
This past week, I completed a 7-day cleanse, and I’ll be honest, it was tougher than I expected. I learned very quickly just how much food impacts our resilience, mental clarity, and emotional stability.
By the middle of the week, I noticed several things happening:
My fuse was shorter than usual
I felt extremely tired, almost like moving through fog
Tasks that required deep thinking felt unusually difficult
My normal energy for coaching, studying, and problem-solving felt muted
In short, I was reminded that what we fuel our bodies with directly affects how we show up in the world.
The Science Behind It
From a biological standpoint, this makes perfect sense.
Our brains use about 20% of the body’s total energy, even though they only make up about 2% of body weight. When calorie intake drops significantly or when blood sugar fluctuates, the brain can experience:
Reduced cognitive performance
Brain fog
Irritability
Fatigue
Research in nutritional neuroscience shows that the brain relies heavily on a steady supply of glucose and nutrients to maintain focus, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. When those levels shift suddenly, our nervous system often reacts with stress signals, which can affect mood and decision-making.
In other words, sometimes when we feel “off,” it isn’t a character flaw, it’s biology asking for better fuel.
A Spiritual Reminder
What struck me most this week was how closely this experience mirrors a spiritual truth.
Scripture reminds us that our bodies are not separate from our spiritual lives.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you… Therefore honor God with your bodies.”— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Taking care of our physical health is not vanity. It’s stewardship.
And just as our bodies require nourishment, so do our hearts and minds.
Jesus said:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”— Matthew 4:4
We need both kinds of fuel, physical and spiritual.
What I Learned
By the time I reached Day 7, the lesson became clear: resilience isn’t just mental or spiritual, it’s biological too.
Our ability to stay patient, focused, loving, and grounded is deeply connected to how we care for our bodies.
This week reminded me to be more intentional about:
Eating foods that sustain energy
Staying hydrated and balanced
Paying attention to how nutrition affects mood and focus
Giving my body what it needs to support the mission God has placed on my life
Moving Forward: Strength in Community
Tomorrow begins a new workout routine, and I’m doing it with an accountability partner. Because if there’s one truth I see over and over again in coaching and in my own life, it’s this:
We truly are Better Together.
Motivation can fade. Energy can dip. But community strengthens commitment.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”— Proverbs 27:17
The 1% Better Takeaway
This week wasn’t glamorous.
It involved fatigue, headaches, and more than a few moments where I questioned my decision to start the cleanse.
But it also brought awareness.
And awareness is the first step toward transformation.
So if you’re walking through a tough week, here’s my encouragement:
Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Give yourself grace while you’re learning.
Remember that growth often happens in uncomfortable places.
And most importantly…
Just focus on being 1% better today.
Because small, faithful steps, taken day after day, eventually lead somewhere beautiful.
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