What is healthy living?

Health is not merely an absence of disease. Health is being established in the Self. It is the dynamic expression of life.

One can be said to be in a perfect state of health when one is physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally steady.

So how does one achieve this state of all-round health in today’s fast-paced life? Here are a few steps we can take to help improve our health and the quality of our lives.

Know About Your “Self”

We need to know a little bit about the different layers of our existence — body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, ego and the self.

When we understand that the body and mind are connected through the breath, we are in a better position to manage our thoughts and emotions.

Make Meditation a Part of Your Life

Meditation is a vital ingredient for personal development. It provides deep rest. The deeper one is able to rest, the more dynamic one will be in activity. For sustainable good health, meditation is key.

What is meditation? It can mean different things to different people.

It is anything we can do to achieve a mind without agitation, hesitation, or anticipation. It can be a hundred times more refreshing than sleep because it helps us live in the present moment and frees us from anger about the past and worry about the future. It gives us depth and stability.

Spend 20 minutes in the morning and evening in meditation, and make it a part of everyday life.

Learn About the Breath

Our first act in this world is to take a deep breath in, and our last act will be taking a deep breath out. Breathing is life. Yet, we are typically not taught — at home or at school — about the importance of the breath and its impact on the mind and body.

Observe how you breathe. There are different patterns that relate to different emotions. Just as your mind influences the breath, you can influence the state of your mind through the breath as well.

We can control negative emotions like anger and fear, and manage stress levels using the breath.

Make Time for Yourself

In this modern age, we all seem to be constantly engaged in gathering information, or performing some mental activity all the time. We seldom take time for ourselves to think and reflect. As a result, there is information overload, and we can feel dull and tired.

Sometime during the day, sit silently for a few minutes with your eyes closed and reflect upon the meaning and purpose of your life. Breathing techniques help you to be aware of self.

The moments of stillness in our mind are the moments of creativity and innovation. Silence heals and rejuvenates our minds.