In many US universities today, a popular campus education programme is ‘learning wellness living’. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle, nurture a healthy mind and spirit, eat a healthy diet and exercise for a healthy body are priorities in modern day living.

You name it, seemingly unending pressure from work, health hazards posed by environmental discord, global economic turmoil ……, just a few of the culprits for making life rough and stressful.

I believe wellness living starts from inside. Nourish your spirit and soul, meditate on things that are noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy and true. Meditation can ease the body and mind of tension and stress, so is slow and deep breathing. The Journal of Human Hypertension published studies suggesting that slow breathing - ten breaths per minute with extended exhalations can reduce hypertension.

In September 2012, Cancer Research UK reported that regular exercise offers many benefits for healthy living. Even moderate activity such as brisk walking, dancing or housework 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week can reduce cancer risks. Exercise also promotes bone health as well as delays aging as published by “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science” in 2011 of a Canadian study.

Be kind to your body. Eat wholesome food of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and avoid processed food with additives, high sugar and salt contents. Although evidence suggests that most additives are not cancer causing, obesity is proven to be a major cause of cancer and many other diseases.

Get close to Mother Nature. Tranquil sights and sounds from Nature relax and lower blood pressure. Walking the beach, smelling the trees and flowers can calm the nerves, disconnect from the busyness around you and put things in perspective. Or create a feeling of nature indoors to unwind from daily chores by using plants, pieces of woods or other organic items. I find fragrances and smells from natural skin care products are also pleasing and calming to the senses while taking a hot shower or applying body lotion before sleep.

(Purple is the name of the blogger. Living a life of purpose keeps her inspired and energetic.)