Mind-Body-Spirit Balance
Tips from a nearly veteran of life
This is a tough one.
You need all three aspects to be aligned in order to have an excellent voyage in life, instead of an uncomfortable off-road run. Well, if you like off-roads that’s something I won’t question.
The body is your home, the mind is your chief in command, the spirit is the director beyond the scene.
Not giving attention and importance to one of the three will get you into trouble.
In my opinion there is already at least 50% of your genetic heritage trying to determine your total balance. Make sure you take care of the other half, please!
Practical express tips:
- eat healthy food
- do some physical exercise
- think positive
- pray, be grateful
Eat Healthy Food
Eating healthy is important because it will help you keep a healthy body.
I’m naturally inclined towards the Mediterranean diet and I think it’s the best in the world. I’m also realistic enough to know some foods aren’t available everywhere, or are a bit too expensive.
What I suggest to do is to slowly introduce more vegetables and fruits into your diet, going locally to find them. The zero-kilometer shopping is by itself a totally mind-blowing concept, which applied to your food will reveal all its benefits.
Another healthy tip is to avoid pre-cooked meals, especially fried ones. Frying should be limited to the minimum possible, while other cooking methods should be preferred like steamed, boiled, or grilled.
Do Some Physical Exercise
This is the hardest part for many, me first of all.
Physical exercise helps you keep a healthier body, even if you’ve been gifted with good equipment like I’ve been.
I mean, my body has never been in need of hard exercise. I’m thin, I eat healthy food and meditate. But after half a century I start realizing that if I won’t make the minimum exercise required, in a few years I will find myself stuck.
You need to exercise and move your body to keep it fit. No matter if this exercise is just a 30-minute walk around your quarter, a mini-session of yoga, a 10-minute cyclette, a swim in the swimming pool, or whatever you please. Keep your body moving!
Think Positive
The way you think can change completely the perspective of your life, even when facing difficult issues.
If you’re optimistic, you’ll always find something to learn and will have the strength to overcome negative situations. Keeping open to the world will help you recognize better opportunities, solutions, and remedies, for better or for worse.
I’m not saying you should deny your setbacks or not cry when something falls apart.
I’m suggesting that you keep your heart open, and be certain that life itself is working to support you. All you need is on your way. You need to maintain a positive attitude and the rest will follow.
I’m talking to myself as well as to you, of course. I’ve found out that when I get super-angry (yes, I still get angry at things of life), there is a kind of black cloud forming over my head, and negative sensations and feelings follow all together and create a catastrophic scenario.
The opposite occurs when I start thinking positive about what is happening. Imagining a different unknown explanation, accepting not like-minded opinions, wishing the best, hoping for a right solution… all contributes to a wealthy habit of thinking that leads to the peace of my mind.
If this point is not natural to you, I believe it could be helpful to read some of Edward De Bono books, like “Six Thinking Hats” and “Lateral Thinking”.
Pray, Be Grateful
Whether you have a religious background or not, taking care of your spiritual path will certainly transform any arid situation into personal growth.
If you don’t know what a prayer is, I bet you know the meaning of being grateful.
If you’re not the traditional religious type, you’ll find it worth experiencing meditation techniques. I suggest Transcendental Meditation, in case you don’t know where to start from.
There are different ways of getting in contact with the innermost part of you.
You absolutely need to find out your unique way to communicate with your soul, or better, let your soul communicate with you. Your real Self knows the meaning of what you're doing in life. Just find the way to let it have its full expression, and you’ll go on smoothly.
Balancing your mind, your body, and your spirit may require some effort on your part, I am sure it will. The benefits you may experience when you succeed will reward the effort.