The Basic Principles of Holistic Health

 

Holistic Health is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of interdependent parts. The earth is made up of systems, such as air, land, water, plants and animals. If life is to be sustained, they cannot be separated, for what is happening to one is also felt by all of the other systems. In the same way, an individual is a whole made up of interdependent parts, which are the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. When one part is not working at its best, it impacts all of the other parts. Furthermore, this whole person, including all of the parts, is constantly interacting with everything in the surrounding environment. For example, when an individual is anxious about a history exam or a job interview, his or her nervousness may result in a physical reaction--such as a headache or a stomach ache. When people suppress anger over a long period of time, they often develop a serious illness--such as migraine headaches, emphysema, arthritis and more.



 

We hear more and more each day about holistic health, wellness, alternative therapies, mind-body integration and so forth. What do these words mean and is there anything of value here for the person who is interested in leading a healthy and happy life? Holistic Health is actually an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to achieve maximum well-being, where everything is functioning at it's very best. 

 

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There are many choices available that can contribute to holistic health and wellness. Some of these activities contribute more to bodily health while others are like vitamins for the mind and spirit. Their are numerous ways available to contribute to holistic health and wellness. Some of them include Reiki, Yoga, Tai Chi, Relaxation, Detoxing and three more of our favorites are listed below. 

 

 

1. Nutrition

The base of healthy eating is to limit your intake of processed food and saturated fats and to eat a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. There are many vitamin and mineral supplements available along with options like vegetarianism. You can feel better and strengthen your immune system by dietary manipulations.

 

2. Exercise

Any physically active pastime is better than no activity. Choose activities, sports, hobbies, and exercises that get you up out of your chair and moving. There are many choices from walking to swimming to bicycling to aerobics classes that are available as forms of exercise. Don't overlook the fact that walking just to get places, hiking, gardening, hunting, golfing, and many other pastimes are also ways to stay physically active and healthy.

 

3. Meditation.

There are many forms of meditation, but they are all similar in that they involve a quieting of the mind and the body and a focusing of awareness. Some techniques use counting breathes, other involving repeating a word or phrase over and over again, while the simplest approach is to just sit still and attempt to quiet your mind and body. Most people who meditate report that it leaves them feeling physically relaxed, mentally alert, and emotionally calm.