5 Ways to healthy living

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If you think having a perfect state of health is a Herculean task, think twice. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tells us how simple things can do wonders for the quality of our life

For a perfect state of health, one has to be mentally calm, steady and emotionally soft. This is not an easy state to attain in today's fast-paced life.

There are two ways to manage our stress levels. We can cut down our mental and physical workload. Alternatively, we can increase our energy levels.

Rejuvenate and recharge yourself by following these five simple steps:

1. Know about yourself

We need to know a little bit about the layers of our existence - body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, ego and the self. It helps one to live in the present moment, and cope with life. Take a week off every year, like one takes a car for servicing. During that time, align oneself with nature, wake up at sunrise, practice yoga, eat proper food and spend some time creatively like singing.

2. Make meditation a part of life

Meditation gives one a deep rest. Deeper one is able to rest, more dynamic will one be in activity. For holistic health, meditation is the key. Meditation is a mind without agitation, hesitation and anticipation and a mind which is in the present moment.

3. Learn about breath

Breathing is life. Yet neither at school, nor at home, have we been taught the importance of breathing. If we can understand the power of the breath, we can have a say over our thoughts, our feelings. We can control anger and negative moods.

4. Eat right

For a healthy body and to control our emotions, thoughts and actions, we need to observe what we eat. It is said 'Jaisaannwaisamann' (As is the food, so is the mind). The kind of food we eat has a definite impact on our body and mind. Fresh food, fruits and some vegetables have more prana (life force energy), and frozen and canned food has very little prana. Fresh food brings ideal nourishment, promotes vigor, vitality, endurance and longevity.

5. Make time for yourself

Everyday we are engaged in only gathering information and we do not take out time for ourselves - to think and reflect. Then we feel dull & tired. Few quiet moments are the source of creativity. Silence heals and rejuvenates and gives one depth and stability. Sometimes during the day, sit silently for a few minutes, keep your eyes closed, and kick the world away like a ball!