A holistic lifestyle is about viewing health and wellbeing as a balancing act between mind, body and soul. It’s about promoting overall wellness by focusing your attention across all core areas of life and making sure they are equally weighted.
For example you might be doing a great job sticking to a new workout routine and eating healthier, but what about your emotional health? Your mind? Your soul? A holistic approach looks at each of these buckets as a whole. It’s a reminder not to focus too much on one area, while neglecting another.
It’s also important to note that a holistic approach does not dismiss or replace modern medicine. Instead they often times work together to provide total overall health and wellbeing.
Please also note that I am not a doctor. Talk to your doctor first before beginning any new regimens or taking any new supplements. Ensuring that everything is working together in harmony is the key here. Including any medications you might already be taking.
And with that, let’s begin!
In today’s post we will dive into the below topics:
- What is holistic living really about?
- Why choose a holistic lifestyle?
- Is a holistic lifestyle right for you?
- Where to begin on this journey?
What is Holistic Living?
Simply put, holistic living is caring for all areas of yourself. It’s about recognizing yourself as a whole and finding balance between mind, body and soul.
The biggest key to living a holistic lifestyle is understanding that everything we are made of is interconnected. What we eat, our physical and mental health, even our emotional and social health. It’s all connected and it all ties into the bigger picture. Taking the time to balance each of these core areas of life is what will bring us more joy, more happiness and better overall health and wellbeing.
Why Choose a Holistic Lifestyle?
Living a holistic lifestyle helps us find balance and harmony in all areas of our lives.
It’s also about understanding that what affects us in one area has a direct connection to another.
Have you ever noticed how you can begin to feel stress physically in the body? Periods of stress can cause stiffness and achiness that we can actually feel.
But rather than simply popping a Tylenol, a holistic approach would have you look a little deeper and discover the root cause of the stress. Treat the stress and you treat the pain.
Remember, everything is all connected. What we do in one area of our life will directly affect the others.
Is A Holistic Lifestyle Right for You?
The body is this beautiful, complex living thing that needs loved and nurtured from the inside out.
By providing your body with healthy and nourishing foods, physical activity and mental stimulation you allow your body to live in a state of equilibrium.
You’ll soon find your stress levels decreasing and your emotions more balanced. You’ll start to become more in tune with yourself and with those around you. You’ll sleep better and your energy levels will increase.
Overall you’ll just feel better.
If this all sounds like something you are interested in learning more about then keep reading! We have so much more to discuss!
Holistic Health Journey-Where to Begin?
1. Take it Slow
A holistic lifestyle is all about slowing down and taking a step back. This allows us to take some time to better understand what our physical and mental selves need at any given time and how we can best support each of them.
The best place to start is by first understanding that changes take time. It’s far more about the journey and learning about yourself along the way than it is about the race to the finish line.
Small, positive changes every day will motivate you to keep going on your holistic health journey.
2. Eat Healthy, Nourishing Foods
Try to forgo processed, sugary and unnatural foods. Replace them instead with nutritious, whole foods to fill you up, satisfy those cravings and provide you longer lasting energy.
Simple swaps like the below can help guide you in the right direction.
- Water vs soda
- Crunchy veggies vs potato chips
- Fresh fruit vs sugary snacks
Just a few simple daily swaps is all it takes to start forming healthier eating habits that actually stick.
3. Find Movement You Love
We all know that working out is important for our health. But finding the right way to move your body is just as important.
Dreading going to the gym isn’t going to make it any easier. And honestly you are going to have a much more difficult time sticking with the routine if you absolutely hate it.
So look for alternative ways to get some exercise that you actually enjoy. There are so many different ways to get active and raise that heart rate.
Try out a yoga class, go jogging in the park, jump roping, roller-blading, dancing, playing outside with the pup, bicycling.
Finding new ways to exercise is a great way to challenge yourself and actually enjoy doing it.
4. Daily Pockets of Reflection
Taking time for quiet, peaceful reflection is great for our mental health. It allows our brains to slow down and decompress.
Use this time to reflect on the day. What went right? What didn’t go to plan?
It’s a great way to help us learn from your mistakes and celebrate our successes. And it also helps keep us accountable and stay on track with our goals.
5. Learn Something New
Our bodies aren’t the only thing that benefits from a good workout. Learning new skills is a wonderful way to help give our minds a workout too!
As humans it’s important for us to always be challenging ourselves. Learning something new helps to keep us sharp and actually has a ton of other benefits too like:
- Better memory
- Reduce stress
- Helps gain more experience and knowledge overall
- Depending on the activity can help encourage you to meet new people.
6. Creativity Time
Using creative and artistic ways to express yourself is a great way to refresh both your body and your mind. But it can also help in other areas of our lives too.
Studies have shown those who enjoy creative activities daily are better problem solvers and more happier. It also helps to add richness to our daily lives and helps us decompress after a long day.
7. More Time for Fun
Make time to do what’s fun. Not everything needs to be goal oriented or even productive for that matter. If its sole purpose is only because it makes you happy then make time for whatever that is. Find what brings you joy. What lights you up. And then go do that thing!
Wrapping it Up
Well we’ve reached the end. And before I sign off I just wanted to highlight a few key takeaways before we part.
First of all there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to a holistic lifestyle. It looks different for all of us.
It’s about what works best for you and what feels right.
Holistic living doesn’t need to be a total lifestyle overhaul either. Start with some simple changes and build from there.
And always be gentle, start slow and be kind to yourself along the way. Some days might be easier than others, but don’t get down on yourself if you falter from time to time.
Just keeping coming back.
It wont take long for you to start feeling the amazing benefits that a holistic lifestyle can provide. Let the momentum you gain be your motivation.
Please reach out with any questions or comment below on how you approach holistic living!
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