A combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training is considered to be a good program. If you are planning to take up jogging or running, invest in a good pair of shoes. If you want to pursue Yoga then find a good ‘guru’ (teacher) and start learning.

A rule of thumb in all above suggestion is to practice moderation. Moderation means stop before reaching the extreme.

Say if you are a body builder and are capable of doing 100 pushups, then go for 90. This doesn’t mean that you should not strive to achieve bigger goals. Later when you become capable of doing 110, go for 100.

While eating stop before you feel you are completely full.

Similarly oversleeping does not help. There are some exceptions. You can sleep for longer hours if you are sick or have returned from a long journey.

4. Possess Proper Thoughts — Let’s start with the meaning of proper thought. A proper thought is positive energy personified. It has the good of the society and the self at its core.

How can you possess proper thoughts?  Train your mind to ask right questions. If you have a task at hand; do not say why, say why not? Do not crib about others. To practice this is very simple — do not talk about somebody who is not present, if you have to talk then only talk good things about that person.

Stay away from emotions like hatred and anger. If you have problem in controlling your emotions then physical exercise will help along with regular meditation.

5. Be In Touch With Your Inner Core — First step here is to spend some time in solitude every day. This aspect of life is overlooked by most of us.

Teens and youth of today are too much engaged in studies and having fun. Same is true of working professionals. They are busy in working, moving up the corporate ladder and giving their families lives they could not enjoy. Senior citizens are busy lamenting their past and discussing what is not good about the current generation. They turn to meditation only when pushed by state of depression or ill health.

Best strategy is to proactively choose meditation and solitude as an essential part of daily life. It is better than choosing it when pushed by circumstances. You do not need to devote long hours to it. 15 minutes in morning and 15 minutes before bed time is a good start.

Simply sit with an erect posture, either on a chair or on the ground with folded legs (better to keep a folded blanket under you) and focus on maintaining this posture without any movement for one minute. Once you have attained a still posture, focus on how you are inhaling and exhaling.

If you are too tired to concentrate, just lie on your bed without a pillow under your head and relax. This is especially beneficial when you come back from work. Also practice this relaxation if you are feeling anxious for some reason.

This daily ritual will help you regulate the movement of your breath. Relaxed breathing will bring harmony to your thoughts and ultimately to your life.

6. Be In Touch With Your Loved Ones — If you want to achieve perfect health, you should be in touch with those who matter to you. Find quality time to communicate with them – quality time means no distraction like watching TV or talking on mobile phone to somebody. Talk to your kids and wife (if you are married) every day. Talk to your parents even if you do not stay with them. Once in a while write to your friends; better if you can talk. By caring for your loved ones you create a “love deposit” which will come back to you in multiples in forms of blessings and good wishes. This is a deposit worth making and the returns are in excess of what any bank can offer.

7. Give Your Best to Your Work, Every Day — This point may not look very important when we talk about creating a healthy body; but it no less important than 6 habits that we discussed above.

The logic is simple when you finish the day’s work as planned; you get a feeling of immense satisfaction. You end your day without any burden. This results in high energy levels. With this energy you can relish your food and enjoy quality time with your friends and family. The result is increased satisfaction in life. Thus a virtuous cycle of happiness and health begins.

COMPANION HABIT: Take Care of Your Financial Health — Believe it or not your financial health is linked to your physical health. This is not to suggest that a sound financial condition alone will make you healthy. You need  regular practice of above mentioned 7 habits and good financial condition to keep you physically and mentally healthy.

It is easier said than done. Again like good health, simple but not easy. Simple because if you keep your expenditure less than your income; your financial health will be taken care of.

Assuming that you are already have a source of income; a little budgeting and investment planning will go a long way in keeping you financial healthy.

Add good financial health to the 7 habits of proper eating, proper rest, regular exercise, proper thoughts, maintaining connection with the inner core and loved ones and giving your best to your work; and you have the recipe of creating perfect health for yourself.

It may not look easy to incorporate all these habits into your lifestyle. But it is worth a try. Best part is that they do not cost a dime. The only investment is your time and a healthy dose of discipline to do it regularly. Then the fruits of labor will be yours to enjoy.

Start with one habit you feel is easier to practice and add the rest later. Also do not expect the state of perfection very soon; it may be some time before that state is achieved.

Today is the best time to do it.   Take that very important first step by deciding that you want to do it. Your decision will take you closer to your ultimate goal. It is better than not doing it at all, thinking that you may not succeed. Remember first step is the most important step of the entire journey.

Wish that you reach your destination soon. Once you reach there, new summits will be waiting to be scaled by you.

Best Wishes.