When we are spiritually healthy, our mental and physical health naturally improve. 

The mind is one of the faculties of the soul. People say the mind is like a horse; it keeps running. We cannot stop our thoughts completely, but on the basis of knowledge, with our intellect, we can create positive thoughts, benevolent thoughts. Our thoughts arise on the basis of our ‘sanskars’, or from what we see, what we hear, and what interests us. If we give direction to our thoughts, and if our thoughts become positive and constructive, a great transformation can take place.

There is a deep connection between the body and the mind. If our mind is healthy, the body will also be healthy. Through meditation we can have a disease-free body, as meditation helps us become carefree and worry-free. Worry, anxiety, and stress are major causes of illness today.

Our diet is also important. Earlier, in the 1960s, people used to say, "You should have an animal-based diet." But now the world is turning to plant-based diets. We need fruits, vegetables, and sattvic food. The food we have nourishes not only the body but also the mind.

We also need to be mindful. Earlier, multitasking was fashionable — people wanted to do many things at once. They would talk on the phone while listening to a devotional song, and have a newspaper in front of them at the same time. But science now says that when you are doing something, remain mindful in that moment. Stay in the moment of the activity you are performing.

Even when eating, taste every bite and enjoy it. What is our state of mind while having food? If we are cheerful and light, then naturally we will eat less. Nowadays, people who are depressed or sad often try to fill their emptiness with food. If there is worry, hurry, or restlessness in the mind, we will neither have the food properly nor receive the necessary nourishment. That is why we are now advised mindful eating.

And science now says that people who live with gratitude — they regularly express thankfulness — enjoy its health benefits and may live longer. While having food, there should be gratitude in the mind. If there is too much mental activity and the speed of our thoughts becomes excessive, our physiology is affected. The stress hormones that are secreted affect our digestion.

Then comes our behavior, which is important for mental health. Behavior means our relationships. How well-connected are we? When there is a sense of belonging, a feeling of being connected, it protects us from many things, including stress and loneliness. One of the greatest problems today is loneliness. People feel that there is no one for them. The feeling of loneliness can become a cause of ill health because people cannot express themselves and share the burden on their minds or the difficulties they are experiencing.

If the mind is heavy or confused, we do not sleep properly. Sleep is important for resetting the body. It is not only about quantity — lying in bed for a certain number of hours. What is the quality of our sleep? How deep was the sleep? And when we woke up in the morning, were we fresh? Did we feel rejuvenated?

Next comes physical activity. Physical activity not only gives energy to the body but also keeps the mind cheerful. Sometimes we neglect physical activity. Walking, exercise, pranayama, yoga — all these are necessary for the body.

When the soul becomes spiritually healthy, we become healthy for many lives, as the soul carries with it its healthy qualities.

Spiritual health brings happiness, but we should ask ourselves: do we remain constantly happy? We should be stable in all circumstances. In the Gita, God tells Arjuna that the true yogi is unaffected by praise or criticism, gain or loss, sorrow or happiness, heat or cold. This is true spiritual health. Spiritual health is like a compass. It represents our core values and gives us direction. We have to walk in that direction and remain firm in it.

When we are spiritually healthy, our mental and physical health naturally improve. Think of a pyramid. The foundation at the bottom is spiritual health. When that foundation is strong, nothing can shake us.

B.K Dr. Pratap Midha is Medical Director of the Global Hospital and Research Centre in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.