Holistic health: a natural approach to well-being

I have recently come across several people who had heard the word "holistic" but hadn't actually grasped what it means or what holistic health is. So I took this as a prompt to try and clarify it in a simple way.

Let's start with the definition of the word "holistic".

adjective: holistic
characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.
In medicine:
characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.

In today's fast-paced and increasingly mentally and emotionally stressful world, more and more people are seeking to create a balanced and holistic approach to their well-being. Holistic health focuses on treating the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - rather than just the symptoms of a specific physical issue. It recognises the interconnectedness of our physical, emotional, and mental worlds, and aims to restore and create overall balance.

What is holistic health?

Holistic health consists of a wide range of practices and therapies that address the root causes of imbalances rather than just focusing on the symptoms of an illness. It emphasises the importance of self-care, prevention, and self-healing. Some key areas of holistic health may include:

• Mind-body connection: becoming curious about and understanding the intricate relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and physical health.
  
• Natural healing: incorporating natural remedies, herbs, nutrition, and physical activity to promote healing.
  
• Energy medicine:incorporating practices like acupuncture, energy work and meditation to balance and restore energy flow within the body.
  
• Emotional well-being: recognising and responding to stress, cultivating positive relationships and practicing mindfulness.
  
• Spiritual growth: self-reflection to explore personal thoughts, attitudes, behaviours, motivations and desires, connecting with nature, and finding purpose and meaning in every day life.
  

Benefits of holistic health

Some of the main benefits of holistic health may include:

• Comprehensive approach: by addressing the underlying causes of health issues, holistic health provides long-lasting solutions rather than temporary relief.
  
• Empowerment: holistic health empowers individuals to take an active role in their own well-being through self-care practices and lifestyle adjustments.
• Improved quality of life: by promoting balance in all aspects of life, holistic health enhances overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  
• Prevention of illness: by focusing on prevention and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, holistic health aims to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
• Personalisation: holistic health recognises that each person is unique, and emphasises an individualised approach tailored to specific needs.
  

Practical tips

Incorporating holistic health practices into your daily life doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are a few practical tips to get started:

• Mindful eating: focus on nourishing your body with whole, unprocessed foods, and practice listening to your body. Cook yourself a healthy meal.
  
• Regular exercise and bodywork: engage in physical activities that you enjoy as well as bodywork to promote physical and mental well-being. It doesn't have to be a 2-hour workout. Go for a brisk 10-minute walk.
  
• Stress management: practice breathing exercises, meditation and/or journaling to cultivate inner balance, gain perspective and to calm the nervous system. Slow down.
  
• Prioritise sleep: ensure you are getting enough quality sleep to allow your body to rest and repair.
  
• Ask for help: speak with a holistic health practitioner or integrative doctor to guide you.
  

Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Ancient systems like Ayurveda (ancient Indian natural health system) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that have been used for thousands of years are based on a holistic view of the individual but also the world around us. They promote the interconnectedness of everything and empower us to take our health into our own hands and become responsible for our well-being.

This doesn't mean that we should exclude Western approaches to health and we should without a doubt seek medical help when needed, but we can learn a lot from these systems that can help guide us back to ourselves and to the natural world.

If you're interested in learning more about holistic health and how to restore and create more balance in your body, mind and spirit, get in touch.

Photos by Pancake!