Good health is a blessing and should be carefully nurtured to maximize it. If an individual is lucky enough to have a strong immune system and to be able to avoid sickness throughout life, that condition should be preserved! Making sound individual choices concerning nutrition and diet, exercise and strengthening, and nurture for the inner spirit are also crucial components of overall mental wellness.

It is important to focus on consuming a wholesome nutritious diet. Consulting with a trained nutritionist is one approach to gaining the knowledge needed to create and follow a healthful diet. It is also possible to acquire this knowledge personally through studying nutrition and observing food labels where applicable. It is wise to avoid foods which do not contribute to the overall well being of the individual.

It is also advisable when watching dietary consumption to maintain a daily calorie count which is sufficient to maintain the desired weight. Consuming too many additional calories in the daily diet can cause unwanted and unsightly weight gain, which can then lead to additional health problems over the long term.

Another crucial component of health is regular exercise. In this period in history when watching TV is the most common leisure activity around the world, humans should really be exercising and working off excess calories. It is not necessary to exercise to the point that the movement becomes painful, but the recommendation is to engage in aerobic exercise which elevates the heart rate and promotes greater overall mental wellness.

While heart-healthy exercise is recommended, any exercise that gets the body moving is encouraged! Golf, walking, gardening - even vacuuming all give an individual some form of workout and raise the metabolism. Walk instead of ride when ever possible! Take stairs rather than elevators! Walk the dog! Even walk through a mall for safe, covered walking space. Any movement is better than none. Fancy clothes and equipment are wonderful aids to exercise, but are not essential - just get out there and move!

A third component for overall being is nurturing the spiritual side of an individuals life. Whether that spiritual nourishment is in the form of organized religion or another spiritual practice focused on centering the individuals energy or thoughts, it is important to acknowledge this vital aspect of ones life.

It is possible to pursue a holistic way of life, incorporating dietary, exercise and spiritual practices all at the same time. Programs exist to incorporate healthy eating, sensible exercise and spiritual practices such as prayer walking all at once. Individuals who have experienced these components all at the same time have reported a sense of satisfaction and inner growth leading to better health.

Preserving your mental wellness is a wonderful gift that you can give to yourself-a gift that keeps on giving. The practices of sensible diet, moderate exercise and spiritual encouragement make a great impact on the lives of the individuals engaged in those practices and can greatly improve the quality of life and health of the individual.