I’ve never been a fan of Kobe Bryant. He’s a great player (arguably the greatest, even) for the NBA, no doubt about it. I just never cared too much for him or the Los Angeles Lakers, for that matter. I’ve always been a Boston Celtic fan. Only after Kobe Bryant died, was I introduced to his amazing work ethic and absolute dedication to the game of basketball. I learned about the “Mamba mentality” and I have to admit, I was really in awe. I have a new-found respect and admiration for the guy.

Before he retired from the NBA, I remember seeing him in a TV interview, talking about topics similar to what you’d read on London X city Entertainment page, but I can’t really remember the specifics. He said something along the lines of, as much as he loves to continue to play ball, his body just couldn’t take it anymore.

Health is wealth. I’ve probably heard that phrase a thousand times during my lifetime. It is such a cliche, but very real. After all, if you don’t start to look after your well-being and your body eventually gives out, you can pretty much kiss your life goodbye. Health is something that we always seem to take for granted. Most of us don’t even get ourselves checked on a regular basis, we don’t have the time to go to the doctor’s, with the busy lives that we lead and all. We only go when it’s already too late, and little to nothing could be done about it anymore. Scary, but it happens. So, why not break the norm? Go ahead and start today.

Here are 6 habits to keep a healthy mind and a healthy body:

1. Meditate. There’s no special or university accepted way to do this simple task. It mainly focuses on just sitting still, and naturally inhaling and exhaling your breath. There’s also a lot of approaches to meditation. There’s mindfulness meditation, love and kindness meditation, spiritual meditation, and many more. You can try different techniques that meet your needs.

2. Exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean long hours spent in the gym, or strenuous activities to engage in. Try taking short walks. Jog at a moderate pace. Keep it really simple. A few jumping jacks or lunges on a regular basis can do a lot to improve your physical fitness.

3. Foster creativity. Based on a study done by New Zealand psychologists, engaging in creative activities contributes to an “upward spiral” of positive emotions. Try engaging in activities like music engagement, visual arts therapy or expressive writing.

4. Follow a healthy diet. It’s not easy, but you have to at least try. Choose what is beneficial for your body. Greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts are excellent options. If needed, you can talk to a specialist.

5. Connect with others. Talk to your loved ones. Chat with your friends. Social connection generates positive feedback on social, emotional, and physical well-being.

6. Focus on the bright side. If you can afford to have a decent meal at least once each day, consider yourself lucky. Not everybody could. Always have a positive mindset. It has many health benefits like lower rates of depression, greater resistance to the common cold, better cardiovascular health.