What is holistic wellness and how can it benefit you?
Holistic health is an approach to life. Some say it’s part of the quest for “a better quality of life.” Rather than focusing on treating a symptom illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person, their body, and how he or she interacts with his or her environment.
Holistic Health focuses on the four pillars within you as a human being:
1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Spiritual
4. Mental
When all four of these are in sync, they create optimal health for your entire body.
Body, Mind, and Spirit
The pursuit of holistic wellbeing takes the form of a team approach that involves input from both the patient and doctor. Unlike most medical treatments, it focuses on all areas of the patient’s life. You may receive education on lifestyle changes, diet changes, psychotherapy, relationships, or even spiritual counselling. Digging deeper into optimizing health happens not only physically, but in your mind.
Great holistic health options include:
1. Acupunture. A Chinese medicine, acupuncture is completely holistic. It treats the whole body in different ways, allowing for the resolution of many different types of ailments including pain, respiratory disorders, and stress.
2. Ayurveda. Developed more than 3000 years ago, Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest healing sciences. In Sanskrit, the word means “The Science Of Life.” An Ayurvedic practitioner will create a treatment plan specifically designed for you, taking into consideration your unique physical and emotional wellbeing, your primary “force,” and the balance between the three. The treatment consists of cleansing your body of undigested food, restoring harmony and balance. To achieve this, the practitioner might need blood work from you, and will prescribe a number of things such as massages, medicine oils, and herbs. There are many Ayurvedic practices, and a practitioner will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
3. Homeopathy. Developed in the 1700s, homeopathy is a medicinal philosophy based on the idea that the body is able to heal itself. A homeopathic practitioner will use pills, or tinctures containing only a very small amount of an ingredient that is active, like a plant. Be aware that the effectiveness of homeopathic medicine is widely debated, and results will vary from patient to patient.
4. Naturopathy. A form of medicine that utilizes natural, non invasive practices and promotes “self healing” based on folk medicine and vitalism. Homeopathy and Ayurveda fall under this category.
What else can you do?
You can strive for holistic wellness on your own as well.
– Practice mindfulness with a gratitude journal, and write down three things you’re grateful for a day.
– Try yoga or meditation and focus on your breathing.
– Be mindful of what you are putting into your body when cooking a meal.
What does it mean to live a holistic life to you? Do you practice some of these things already?
We would love to see you taking care of yourself mentally and physically! Take a photo, and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.
There are many ways that you can practice holistic health, each one taking the form of a step towards better health in your body, mind, and spirit.