To stay healthy we must live in harmony with nature, so as not to destroy the natural balance of elements in our bodies. To practice this art of living in natural balance, one first has to understand oneself. According to Ayurveda, every individual has a different constitution. Once you know your personal Ayurvedic constitution, you can select your diet, life style, daily routine and other activities according to that. Therefore, to maintain your health and cure diseases, it is very important to know your personal constitution.

Often we may be eating a diet or doing an activity which is in opposition to our constitution, thus creating an imbalance in our body - which is the cause of disease.

More specifically, there are a number of important factors related to food which are important for maintaining good health. They include types of food items, time gaps between meals, avoiding mixing of various incompatible types of foods, cleanliness, proper eating and eating according to one's digestive power, etc.

 

Factors for maintaining good health related to food:

* Food should be fresh, thoroughly cooked (generally), warm, tasty and easy to digest.

* There should be at least four hours difference between two meals.

* Do not eat too many items in one meal. And the items taken in one meal should not be in contradiction to each other. For example, yogurt and milk, or ice cream and a hot drink.

* If you feel tired or heaviness in your stomach after eating, it was improper eating. Eat according to your digestive power.

* Do not eat while watching a video or while reading. Eat in peaceful and pleasant surroundings.

* Eating should not be rushed or too slow. Chew your food nicely.

* Fruits should not be mixed with meals. Either take a separate meal of fruits or eat between two meals.

* Do not drink water one hour before or after meals. Water or other drinks can also be taken in small quantities along with meals.

 

Proper regulated sleep is equally important for maintaining good health. 'Early to bed, early to rise' is a very valuable practice. Sleep before 12 is considered to be worth double that of after 12. For an average person, six hours of sleep is usually sufficient. Sleeping longer than necessary is a cause of disease.

Regular exercise according to one's constitution is also very beneficial for good health. Yoga is advised as the best type of exercise, as it holistically takes care of all aspects of our health: physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga and Ayurveda go hand in hand. The aim of both of these sciences is to support a healthy bodily condition in which it is easier to devote oneself to attaining salvation, or liberation through God consciousness.