Feeling lost in your wellness journey? Find out what is holistic wellness and how use it to achieve optimal health without resorting to medication as a first line of defense.
Caribbean born and bred, using a nature first philosophy is not new to me. I remember my mother treating our colds and childhood maladies with all-natural remedies, only resorting to store-bought medication when she needed to. As a result, , these habits were engraved in me.
However, when it was time to choose a practical field, I entered the Health Sciences and earned a Doctorate in Pharmacy. In Pharmacy School, an elective subject named Complementary and Alternative Medicine caught my eye, and I kept diving deeper into it.
Today, I use my clinical knowledge of how bodies work in concert with a “lifestyle and nature first” approach to impart wisdom and help others attain better health. Achieving optimal health isn’t a one-time change; but a series of steps which include a mindset shift and conscious efforts.
This revelation led me to Holistic wellness – an approach to health that takes into account the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. It can be used to prevent illness and promote overall health and well-being. If you’re new to the concept of holistic wellness, I’m going to help break it down for you. Today, I’ll shed some light on this approach and help you understand the amazing benefits it can bring.
Stick around a little longer as I share how to take charge of your well-being!
What is Holistic Wellness?
Holistic wellness, to me, is an all-encompassing approach to self-care. It is a way of life that incorporates mind, body, and spirit. To achieve holistic wellness, we must first become aware of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We must then learn to accept ourselves and make choices that support our physical, mental, and emotional health. When you know how to live holistically, you are in tune with your body and surroundings. You eat nourishing foods, exercise regularly, get enough rest, and take time for self-reflection to connect with your higher power. Living holistically creates balance in your life and lets you experience the benefits of wellness that comes along with it.
Why Is Holistic Wellness Important?
I often get asked: Why is holistic wellness important? How does it differ from our usual lifestyles? Here’s why:
A holistic lifestyle takes into account the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Here’s a quick rundown of these aspects for you:
- The mind is the control center of the body – if it’s not healthy, the rest of the body will eventually follow suit. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your mental health. Meditation, journaling, and other mindfulness practices can reduce your stress and promote a sense of peace.
- Next up, the body is the vehicle that allows us to experience life. We must fuel the engine with healthy food and exercise regularly to keep the engine running smoothly. When we care for our bodies, we’re better able to handle whatever life throws our way. The Domestic Life Stylist is filled with healthy recipes and wellness practices that can help you get on your way.
- The spirit is the innermost part of who we are – it’s our connection to something larger than ourselves. Nurturing our spiritual side can help us to find meaning and purpose in life. Practices like prayer, time in nature, and connecting with others can help us tap into our spirituality. If you’re looking for ideas on daily devotions that can get you on your way.
Holistic wellness helps us remember what is truly important in life: relationships, nature, meaningful work, and creativity. It lets us step out of the rat race mentality and slow down to appreciate the simple things in life that bring us happiness.
How Can Holistic Wellness Benefit Your Health?
As I said, our mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. When one is out of balance, it can hurt others. Holistic wellness is an approach that takes into account the whole person, not just one aspect of their health. By considering the mind, body, and spirit, a person can help to keep all three in balance. This can improve physical health, mental well-being, and emotional stability. In addition, holistic wellness can improve your relationships and a sense of purpose in life. When all aspects of your life are in balance, you can experience true wellness.
Ideas To Add More Holistic Wellness To Your Life
When we adopt a holistic lifestyle, we can better care for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We become more balanced and centered, which leads to greater contentment. Here are some ideas on how you can implement holistic practices into your life for better health.
Get Quality Sleep
Sleep restores our bodies, refreshes our minds, and resets our internal clocks. When we sleep, our bodies can repair the damage from the day and prepare for the next challenges. Quality sleep is essential for holistic wellness because it allows our bodies and minds to recharge.
Without sufficient rest, we are more susceptible to illness and injury. Our cognitive function suffers, and we are more likely to make poor decisions. We may find ourselves irritable or short-tempered. In extreme cases, sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations and has been linked to disease. Clearly, getting quality sleep is a pillar of holistic wellness.
When we make time for regular, restful sleep, we are investing in our future health and well-being. So turn off the screens, and wind down for a restful night’s sleep. Your body – and your mind – will thank you for it.
Eat Healthily
When we eat nutritious foods, our bodies are better able to function at an optimum level. We have more energy; our skin looks better, and we think more clearly. All of these things lead to a feeling of overall well-being. And when we feel good, we are more likely to make other healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and spending time in nature. So eating healthy is not only a smart idea but also the foundation of a holistic lifestyle.
Break a Sweat
Movement is the forgotten medicine. We live in an increasingly sedentary world, and as a result, there is a rise in chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. But there is hope! You can dramatically improve your health by breaking a sweat and keeping your body moving. Exercise helps to increase your lifespan and reduce your risk of developing these chronic diseases. It also helps to improve your mental health, relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression. In short, movement is crucial for maintaining holistic wellness. So get up and get moving for the greater good.
Shift Your Mindset About Wellness
Wellness is so much more than just eating right and exercising. It’s about balance. It’s about taking care of your mind, body, and soul. And it’s about making choices that make you happy and healthy. When you shift your mindset about wellness, you start to see wellness as a journey instead of a destination. You realize that there is no perfect way to be well. You experiment. You find what works for you. And you cultivate a sense of self-compassion and acceptance. By changing your mindset, you open yourself to a world of possibilities for wellness. And that is truly magical.
Meditate and Connect with Your Better Self
When we take the time to sit in silence and stillness, we become more attuned to the subtle experiences happening within us. We may not always be aware of it, but our bodies are constantly bombarded with sensory input – sights, sounds, smells, touch, and taste. All of this leads to overwhelm and stress. Meditation allows us to step back from all of this input and simply observe. In doing so, we can connect with our true selves – the part of us that is at peace, wise and loving. From this place of connection, we can make choices that align with our highest good. We can begin to live our lives from a place of authenticity and power.
Holistic wellness is a lifestyle!
Now that you know a little bit more about holistic wellness, it’s time to start incorporating this approach into your own life. Remember, holistic wellness is all about balance, so focus on each of the key areas: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Creating a healthy lifestyle is a process; it may take some time to find what works best for you. But trust me, it’s worth it.
So what is holistic wellness? It’s a way of life that makes you more vibrant, alive, and connected to the world. So go out there and start living your best life today!
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