Looking to nourish the mind, body, and soul? Here are 5 healthy habits to practice!

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For many people taking small steps toward better health helps to make change easier to accept. Incorporating any of these nourishing changes into ones lifestyle is another way to encourage well-being and promote vitality. No matter how busy one’s schedule is even the smallest changes can make a big difference in helping to achieve a happy healthy life. Here are a five ways you can integrate healthy habits into your daily routine for more optimal health:

1. Meditate

Meditation has been associated with brain improvement in a variety of areas such as stress, addiction, anxiety and cognitive function. Including even just 15 minutes of meditation into your daily regimen can make a big difference. Sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing and trying to keep your mind from wandering helps to reduce symptoms of depression, settle anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve your mood.

2. Oil Pulling

This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice of using oils to remove harmful organisms, bacteria and fungus from your teeth, gums and throat. It is best done in the early morning before eating or drinking anything and using 1-2 teaspoons of organic coconut, sesame or sunflower oil. Put the oil in our teeth and swish around for 20 minutes.
If you are new to oil pulling it may be easier to start out doing it for 10-15 minutes and then increase your time from there. The oil will begin to break through the plaque and re-absorb bacteria and toxins improving oral health as well as preventing and reducing a number of health concerns.

Once you are finished spit the oil into a paper towel or plastic bag, rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth immediately. It is important not to swallow the oil that contains all the toxins you just removed.

In addition to healing and treating gingivitis, cavities, sensitive teeth and bad breath it is also offers benefits such as eczema, headache and allergy relief, and supports healthy kidney function.

3. Lemon Water

Lemons have strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial and immune boosting properties. They contain vitamin C, citric acid, calcium, magnesium, pectin and bioflavonoids that cleanse the liver, aid in digestion and fight infection. It is best to drink first thing in the AM to flush the digestive system, PH balance the system, hydrate the lymph system and aid in weight loss. Lemon water is also a great replacement for morning coffee as it provides energy and can enhance one’s mood.

4. Ghee Water

Ghee is a butter in which all water and milk solids have been removed. Ayurvedic tradition considers ghee to be one of the most health promoting foods shown to strengthen the body, improve mental functions and promote longevity. It is good for the eyes, stimulating digestion and enhancing stamina and protecting against various diseases.

Drink a tablespoon of Ghee in warm water in the morning about an hour before you eat or in the evening before bed. This alkaline forming tonic promotes a healthy glow in the skin, and the ghee can also be used as a healthy substitute for butter or cooking oil.

5. Fermented Foods

Fermentation has become a lost art. Thanks to the advances in food preparation many of the probiotics and enzymes in food has declined over the years. There are several reasons why fermented foods should be included in the diet such as introducing beneficial bacteria into the digestive system and allowing the body to adjust nutrients better. Fermented foods are very easy to make, extremely budget friendly way to include real foods and a great way to preserve food. Fermented foods include Sauerkraut, Salsa, Pickles and Condiments. Fermented drinks such as Kombucha, Ginger Ale and Kefir are great alternatives to soda and have been used as substitutes to help people break their soda addictions.

Getting healthy doesn’t have to be a chore! You don’t need to deprive yourself of everything you love. Instead nourish yourself and begin to notice even the smallest differences. Once you start to notice positive changes and feel better both physically and mentally the rest will follow. Establishing small steps towards living a better lifestyle has shown to be the most successful in ensuring a long-term change.

 

 

Yogi Mami
Yogi Mami was started by Victoria, a wife and mother who is interested in researching natural and holistic alternatives to improve the body and how it functions. She works as a Yoga instructor and Usui Reiki Master with experience and knowledge on topics such as holistic pregnancy and natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and natural cures and treatments for common ailments for adults, children and babies and even pets! Her blog has information on how to live a simple, safer and more natural lifestyle. She is author of Mindful Mami: Preparing for Pregnancy Labor and Beyond. She is also a freelance journalist writing for sites such as NaturalNews.com, MindBodyGreen.com and PowerofPositivity.com and has several articles published on various health topics. Victoria loves spending time with family and friends, cooking, crafting, writing and homeschooling her two children. You can visit her site at www.yogimami.com