7 Life-Changing Practices Of Truly Healthy People

In my personal healing journey, it was important and beneficial to begin in the spiritual realm by exploring my relationship with myself. For me, this was through learning about ayurveda and applying its principles to my life.

Ayurveda, which translates vaguely to "life knowledge," is the ancient art and science of life from India. It goes well beyond doshas and into the truly holistic genre of spiritual healing.

Subscribing to ayurvedic beliefs and practices helped me transform years of eating disorders, insomnia, and digestive disturbances. Once I began to do this, I was able to make myriad diet and lifestyle changes that have given me sustainable health. Now, as a teacher of ayurveda, it brings me joy to share some insights as a foundation for deeper healing.

Life happens in the moment. So much of my mental suffering came from living in the shackles of my memories of the past. Or traveling into the future, speculating about "what will happen if" and projecting different scenarios of moments yet to come.

It's said that holding on to emotions like anger is like drinking poison and expecting the person(s) you're angry with to die. It is we who actually suffer when we hold on to past wounds. We can't change the past, but we can change how we respond to challenges instead of unconsciously reacting to them. Therein lies the key to real freedom—and health.

Nature is the ultimate healer. One of ayurveda's purposes is to restore your harmony with nature, as doing so is the key to great health. The ancient Indian sages, the very ones who the science of ayurveda was revealed to, spent their entire lifetimes observing nature.

Nature is a great teacher. The seasons constantly change: Flowers bloom and then wither away, leaves that come in with their bright colors and drop just as easily, and birds migrate from North to South and back again. So, too, are we advised to adapt gracefully to change without stating too many preferences.

It's so easy to get swept away by all the noise that exists in the outside world, figuratively and literally. There are so many voices out there that can sway and distract us—whether it's the media reporting about all the atrocious things happening in the world, or just the pessimistic opinions of the person you work with. Then, of course, there's your sonic diet: the radio, telephone, television, and loud music.

With the help of nature, silence, and living in the present moment, we have the opportunity to seek our own approval. When we are able to hear the sound of our own voice, we can then have the freedom to seek the approval of our own spirit instead of getting stuck in the trap of wanting to just please others.

The company you keep is one of the most important contributing factors to your mental health. Make sure to surround yourself with people who support you in your desire to live a truly healthy life. I felt supported in making changes in my life due to all the community support I received—and continue to receive—while studying at the school I'd ultimately work for.

There's a difference between guilt and shame. Shame is when you feel bad, broken, or unworthy. Guilt, on the other hand, is remorse for something you have done. It can actually be a constructive emotion, empowering you to make important behavioral shifts. Shame makes us feel stuck while guilt can motivate us.