In general, people mean one of two things when they talk about holistic wellness. The term is often used as a shorthand for alternative medicine. For example, if someone had a medical diagnosis, they may look for “natural” ways of treating the illness. This would be “holistic medicine.”
Source: BetterUp.com
The broader definition of holistic wellness uses the literal meaning of the word “holistic.” That is, it defines wellness as the interdependence of several dimensions of health. The whole person, therefore, isn’t well unless they’re well in every area of life — not just physical health.
So, holistic wellness is a comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing that considers an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing, which even incorporates financial and occupational wellbeing.
It recognizes that each aspect of a person’s life is interconnected and impacts overall health and happiness. Therefore the goal of holistic wellness is to create balance and harmony in ALL aspects of life, leading to a feeling of wholeness and fulfillment.
It is a way of looking at life that emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself in all areas rather than focusing on just one aspect. So, where do we start?
1. Get Moving
Regular physical activity is essential to maintaining a healthy body and overall sense of wellbeing. Whether you prefer gentle Pilates or high-intensity cardio, whatever activity brings you joy – make sure to do it regularly.
Exercise promotes good circulation and strengthens the body while helping to relieve stress and boost positive thinking, all part and parcel of holistic wellness.
Regular physical activity helps decrease stress, improve sleep habits, and boost your immune system. It also provides the opportunity to get some much-needed alone time – even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes each day.
Take advantage of free moments – go for a walk outside, stretch at home, or hit a local yoga studio for classes. Whatever you decide to do, make it enjoyable!
2. Practice Mindful Eating
To find balance in our lives, we must look at how we nourish ourselves – not just physically but mentally and spiritually. Start by being mindful when it comes to food—slow down and take the time to appreciate your meals.
Pay attention to what you are eating, how much you are eating, and why you are eating. Ask yourself if this is something that will benefit your body—if not, then it may be best to pass on it!
Nutrition plays an important role in our physical and mental health; thus, it is important to maintain a balanced diet that consists of plenty of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains.
Eating a balanced diet provides energy for daily activities and aids in repairing muscle tissues which helps in reducing chronic pain issues for some people.
3. And Make Sure to Hydrate
We can be guilty of not drinking enough water, especially when we’re busy or preoccupied with tasks throughout the day; however, adequate hydration is essential for maintaining holistic wellness as our bodies are mostly composed of water.
Drinking water helps keep us alert while boosting our metabolism; it also has positive effects on heart health and the skin as well.
Aim to drink at least eight cups per day to stay hydrated properly, especially if you exercise regularly or live in an area with warmer climates where dehydration can happen quickly.
4. Start Meditating for Holistic Wellness
One of the most important aspects of achieving holistic wellness is regular meditation.
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress, create focus, and increase self-awareness. It can help you become mindful and gain clarity about your thoughts and emotions.
To get started, find an area in your home or outside that will be comfortable and peaceful. Then, sit or lie down in a comfortable position while focusing on your breath and the present moment.
When other thoughts come into your mind, notice them without judgement and without getting caught up in them—just acknowledge them before redirecting your attention back to your breath.
Meditation allows you to clear and calm your mind, reduces stress levels, and can even increase creativity and focus. There are many forms of meditation, so explore different techniques until you find one that works for you.
5. Use Nature To Connect with Yourself
Nature has a profound power to help us de-stress and connect with our inner selves. Taking time to appreciate nature can be as simple as walking around your neighbourhood or even spending a few moments in your backyard or garden.
Taking a break to observe the natural beauty of nature can help you feel relaxed and grounded, creating an optimal atmosphere for mental clarity and self-reflection for overall holistic wellness.
6. Focus on Personal Connection
Cultivating personal relationships and taking time for self-care are essential parts of living a balanced, healthy life (which is, truly, holistic wellness). Find ways to practice self-reflection and look inward to get clarity on your life’s purpose and discover what truly brings you inner peace.
Making time for creativity or playful activities can help you foster a connection with yourself. Taking care of yourself through yoga, meditation, exercising, healthy eating, or simply getting enough sleep are all great ways to bring balance into your life.
Socializing with friends or simply having a conversation with acquaintances can have a profound effect on emotional health, too; it bonds relationships and encourages trust, which leads helps to promote any healing process immensely, depending on the individual circumstance(s).
It also does wonders for improving self-esteem due to feeling appreciated by those around us coupled with increased support from networking within communities near us – take time out from your schedule each week to join up and meet new people too.
7. Sleep
Sleep is something we all need but often overlook when considering holistic wellness practices: sleep doesn’t just help us physically recover from everyday life but also influences our mental state — without sufficient, restful sleep, our moods become more difficult to regulate and brain function becomes impaired (leading to fatigue).
Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of quality shut-eye each night for your body and mind to perform their best during waking hours.
8. Seek Mental Support for Holistic Wellness
Mental support through therapy is critical to holistic wellness as mental health issues affect most aspects of life; psychotherapy helps sort out unresolved emotions causing distress, uncovering inner potential talents and strengths and unlocking greater potentiality.
Taking part in scheduled therapy sessions (or counselling, learn the difference here) allows space to breathe, understand yourself deeply, and manage stress making healing from anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses possible.
