By Victoria MoorePublished on June 04, 2013Last modified August 15, 2019

The basic human desire is to feel loved, and sometimes that love comes from within. And to love ourselves fully, we must incorporate healthy habits that nourish your body, mind, and soul.

Here’s more from Victoria Moore:

“Taking baby steps toward better health helps to make change easier to accept. Incorporating any of these nourishing changes into one’s 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.”

5 Healthy Habits to Nourish Your Mind, Body, and Soul

“The greatest wealth is health” ~Virgil

1. Oil Pulling

This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice of using oils to remove harmful organisms, bacteria, and fungus from your teeth, gums and throat. Experts suggest you do this in the early morning before eating or drinking anything. And, you should use 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. Additionally, it’s helpful for preventing and reducing a number of health concerns.

Once you are finished spit the oil into a paper towel or plastic bag. Then, 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.

So, it’s helpful in healing and treating gingivitis, cavities, sensitive teeth and bad breath. Additionally, it also offers benefits such as eczema, headaches, and allergy relief, and supports healthy kidney function.

2. 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).

3. 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. In fact, it strengthens the body, improves mental functions and promotes 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.

4. 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 .

Fermented foods are very easy to make, extremely budget-friendly way to include real foods. And, they’re a great way to preserve food 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. Some popular 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.

5. Meditation

Meditation is 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.

Final Thoughts on Healthy Habits

Getting healthy doesn’t have to be a chore! You don’t need to deprive yourself of everything you love, but rather 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 healthy habits helps you take small steps towards living a better lifestyle. And that is the most successful step in ensuring a long-term change.