Some people think about holistic living in terms of what they eat, while others focus on the cleaning products they use. In a previous post, we discussed that holistic living has a broad range of benefits for your overall wellness and health. There is a holistic perspective of the mind, body, and spirit that many people are not aware of. Some theorists maintain all three links and we shouldn’t focus on one while ignoring the others. When all three are in balance, we should be in a state of harmony. Holistic health believes that the mind, body, and soul work together to create our reality. By understanding how they interact, we can learn to better manage our lives and find peace within ourselves.
Defining Holistic Living for You
What comes to mind when you think of a holistic approach or natural healing processes? It’s critical to understand what it means to you because it’s different for everyone. We can define a holistic approach as a way of life that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. It is about creating balance in your life by integrating all aspects of who you are. When deciding on a holistic approach, you make choices that are good not only for your physical health but will improve mental health and overall well-being.
To determine what needs work and where to start depends on your current lifestyle. Consider what you’d want to improve in your life to make it more natural. Some may focus on their spiritual health or use holistic medicine to boost their immune system and fight illness.
Holistic Body
Holistic health is the practice of maintaining a balance between your mental state, spiritual connection, and physical body. How do holistic people view the body? They don’t divide it in terms of mind versus matter. Our physical health is a very important part of this approach. We usually begin with what we put into our bodies, like consuming natural foods with fewer chemicals and additives. Our body craves things that are made from the earth, so it’s important to consider organic products you can use on or in your body.
Not only should we be careful of the products we use, but we should also be wary of what we eat. What we consume is a big part of holistic living, which includes organic produce, farm-fresh eggs, local meat and poultry, and anything organically grown. In addition, holistic people exercise regularly. This is not only good for our physical health, but provides a sense of well-being. Our bodies are designed to move and when we don’t, we create stagnation that can lead to illness. When you deliberately move your body in the way that feels good to you, it’s an act of self-care and love! You can add in exercise to move your body and keep a healthy body while using natural products on your hair and skin.
Holistic Mind
A holistic perspective is about physical and mental health. It’s important to develop a holistic mind to maintain balance. Having the right mindset means you don’t separate yourself from the world around you. Many times, we see people become unbalanced in their holistic approach by not seeing themselves as part of the bigger picture. If we only focus on what’s happening within us and our immediate sphere, it can add to stress and result in mental illness, such as anxiety or depression.
There are a variety of strategies that help you develop a more holistic mind and mental health, such as writing in a journal, meditating, or practicing mindfulness. These practices will also promote emotional control. You can start using essential oils to relax instead of other medications, or gradually begin working on a yoga routine that helps you feel centered and balanced. Think about what might make you stressed, anxious, or distressed right now. This might assist you in determining what changes you should make.
Holistic Spirit
When you take a holistic approach to life, your spirituality is a huge part of it! You want to have a firm foundation that includes gratitude for what you have. This can include family, friends, career opportunities, home… anything good in your life.
Your spirit approach will most likely be like what you do for your mind. It, however, extends beyond to include things like self-care and taking part in activities that help you re-energize. It’s important to feel more balanced in your health and life. Many individuals turn to yoga, Pilates or mediation to develop their spiritual selves.
Find the Perfect Balance
In the end, it’s important to remember that a holistic perspective is not just about your physical health. It’s also about treating your mind and soul. The next time you think about how to live a healthier lifestyle from head-to-toe, consider these three pillars of wellness in balance with each other. What are some ways you connect with your mind, body, and spirit?
