Positive thinking and healthy living: 5 tips for a balanced life
Five key practices where affirmations and mindful lifestyle choices work synergistically to heal and rejuvenate the body.
Have you ever felt like there’s more to life than just the daily grind? Holistic living offers a path to cultivate a sense of well-being that goes beyond the physical. It’s about nurturing all aspects of ourselves – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
In the journey towards a more fulfilling life, affirmations can be a powerful tool. Affirmations are positive statements that we repeat to ourselves, helping to shift our mindset and cultivate desired qualities. Imagine starting your day with gratitude for the simple things, setting a positive tone for what lies ahead. Or perhaps consistency is your focus – affirmations can help you stay committed to healthy habits without guilt if you miss a session.
To achieve this balanced life, Sister Shivani, Master Thinkright.me, and Luke Coutinho recommend five key practices where affirmations and mindful lifestyle choices work synergistically to heal and rejuvenate the body:
1. STARTING YOUR DAY WITH GRATITUDE
One should begin their day with practices that cultivate gratitude and set a positive tone. “Gratitude is the antidote to negativity,” says Sister Shivani. She emphasises starting with gratitude, followed by meditation, while Coutinho highlights the power of prayer and expressing gratitude before rising from bed.
2. INCORPORATING CONSISTENCY AND AVOIDING GUILT
Sister Shivani emphasises the importance of consistency in mindful practices while urging listeners to avoid dwelling on missed opportunities. “Consistency is key, but don’t let guilt hold you back,” she says. She advises readers to acknowledge a missed practice and move forward with consistency.
3. THE 4.00 AM CLUB AND UTILISING THE SLEEP-WAKE STATE
One should follow the concept of Brahma Mahurat, the pre-dawn hours considered as a time of high vibration, ideal for setting intentions and cultivating new habits. “Think of it as prime time for your subconscious mind,” advises Sister Shivani. Both Sister Shivani and Coutinho discuss the power of the sleep-wake state for accessing the subconscious mind. “This twilight zone holds immense potential for reprogramming our minds,” Coutinho concludes.
4. MIND OVER BODY
“Mindfulness is the bridge between stimulus and response,” explains Coutinho. He highlights how mindfulness empowers us to make conscious choices for a healthy body, even in challenging situations. Coutinho also highlights the power of the mind through the example of placebo studies in pharmaceuticals. “The mind has such immense potential, but most of us are operating on autopilot,” he observes.
BK Shivani emphasises that mindfulness allows us to detach from reactive emotions and cultivate emotional well-being. “In mindfulness, we become the author of our response, not a prisoner of our circumstances,” she says.
Both Sister Shivani and Coutinho address the importance of mindful eating. “As you think, so shall you eat,” says Sister Shivani, echoing the ancient proverb “Jaisa annwaisamann” (as is the food, so is the mind). Coutinho discourages demonising food and emphasises the importance of gratitude for nourishment.
5. FEAR AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
“Fear is a messenger, but silence is its weapon,” warns Coutinho. He advises taking action to overcome fear, rather than letting it control us. Healthy lifestyle choices – nutrition, movement, sleep, and emotional well-being – can be powerful tools for managing fear.