© Shutterstock

What is holistic health? -

Holistic health means caring for the whole person. In other words, being mindful of your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs. All of these aspects affect you in one way or another, so to understand your health, it's important to factor all of them in.

© Shutterstock

Key principles of holistic health -

Holistic health requires you to balance your life's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. It focuses on disease prevention rather than a reactive approach when a symptom or condition arises.

© Shutterstock

Holistic health empowers and promotes self-care -

Holistic health often helps people advocate for themselves and their care. It improves their well-being and inspires them to engage in self-care, increasing self-esteem, personal growth, optimism, and even dignity.

© Shutterstock

Holistic health may reduce mortality -

One study in South Korea found that compared to patients who received more conventional medical care, those who took a more holistic approach had reduced all-risk mortality rates at three months and 12 months after they were discharged.

© Shutterstock

Holistic health may reduce medical costs -

In some cases, it can be more costly to receive holistic care due to the issues with insurance coverage. However, according to one study, holistic medicine helped reduce patients' overall pain, resulting in a 4% reduction in hospital visits and, consequently, in costs.

© Shutterstock

Holistic health helps people cope with illnesses -

Serious medical conditions will be challenging mentally and emotionally for patients. However, one study found that cancer patients who used a holistic medical approach were less likely to be distressed by their condition.

© Shutterstock

Holistic health may increase patient satisfaction -

Patients who received holistic treatment reported greater satisfaction with their care. This, in turn, improved their mental and emotional health and led to fewer symptoms, according to one study.

© Shutterstock

How to implement holistic health principles into your life: physical health -

It's essential to regularly exercise and to eat healthy, wholesome foods. Experts suggest 150 minutes of moderate aerobic training per week. Additionally, dietary vitamins and supplements can help add an extra boost to your day and overall health.

© Shutterstock

Mental health -

Be sure to look after your mental health, as it dictates so much of how you feel every day! Consider hiring and meeting with a licensed therapist or counselor. In the sessions, try to address any mental health concerns or life stressors you may be experiencing.

© Shutterstock

Emotional health -

Learning to regulate your emotional health will help you holistically. Try strategies like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or dance therapy. Being able to manage your emotions will help the ups and downs of life be less drastic.

© Shutterstock

Tips for holistic health -

Curious about how to be holistically healthy? In the following slides, we'll dive into examples of how you can improve your overall health starting today.

© Shutterstock

Learn to breathe -

Breathing has long been used as a relaxation technique to help reduce stress and anxiety. Studies show that it's more beneficial to breathe through your nose versus the mouth.

© Shutterstock

Eat right -

Diets and fads aren't the way to go to achieve holistic health. Focus on foods you like and research healthy alternatives for them. Eating right will vary from person to person and will take some time to get used to, but it is possible!

© Shutterstock

Stay high on energy -

While green tea and berries can provide a natural energy boost, it's important to find healthy options that work the best for you. Try and focus on a balanced diet and lifestyle for sustained energy throughout the day.

© Shutterstock

Set goals -

Traditionally, people tend to set goals on things like weight loss. However, it can be helpful from a holistic health perspective to set targets for things like the time you spend on hobbies or with family and friends.

© Shutterstock

Socialize -

Meeting people and socializing helps engage your mind and keep it holistically healthier. While socializing, be sure to laugh a lot, as it helps reduce stress and uplift your mood. 

© Shutterstock

Reward yourself -

Be sure to maintain balance in your life and reward yourself. Some people have 'cheat days' where they indulge in their favorite foods they normally don't eat throughout the week. This will help you in the long run to maintain healthy eating habits. 

© Shutterstock

Take time for yourself -

Even if it's only thirty minutes or an hour each day, take time for the activities you enjoy most. Whether it's reading a book, writing letters, taking pictures, or something else entirely.

© Shutterstock

Exercise the right way -

Holistic health means taking time to work out smartly. Don't just go through the motions; start by calculating your BMI, then set realistic goals and workouts to help you achieve them. Working out promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

© Shutterstock

Stay hydrated -

Your body is made up of mostly water so it's crucial to constantly replenish it throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks and focus on hydrating with water specifically to help with your holistic health.

© Shutterstock

Eat fats -

Healthy fats are good for you and your body. Examples include nuts, fatty fish, and oils such as olive and coconut. They also help to reduce food cravings by satiating you for longer, which can help with weight loss.

© Shutterstock

Get offline -

It's important to take breaks from tablets, phones, and computers that we often rely on. Set them aside and focus on being present and intentional. Consider spending some time on a short meditation to help ground yourself.

© Shutterstock

How do holistic health and conventional medicene differ? -

Holistic practitioners don't prescribe medicine or treat acute illnesses. Holistic practitioners tend to take a deeper look into things like sleeping habits, nutrition, stress level, and more of the patient to identify the root cause.

© Shutterstock

Is holistic health a replacement for conventional medicine? -

No is the short answer. Holistic health works best when it complements traditional medicine.  It's important to consult your doctor before starting any new holistic practices, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

© Shutterstock

Does a holistic approach take a long time to see results? -

Some holistic practices can offer quick results like improved sleep or reducing your overall stress. However, holistic health mostly focuses on creating sustainable lifestyle changes, which can often take time to learn, practice, and maintain.

© Shutterstock

Can a holistic approach be used to treat specific health conditions? -

Holistic medicine can't replace conventional medicine in treating specific illnesses. Certain symptoms might be better managed with holistic health, but overall, acute illnesses often need medical, traditional treatment.

© Shutterstock

Is there any scientific evidence for the effectiveness of holistic health practices? -

Parts of holistic medicine, like yoga and meditation, have growing scientific evidence supporting them and their benefits in stress management and overall well-being. However, for many other holistic therapies, more research is needed.

© Shutterstock

How can I get started with a holistic approach to health? -

The best way to get started is to start by exploring healthy eating habits, incorporating more regular physical exercise into your life, and finding ways to manage stress. Take time to find which holistic aspects appeal most to you, and go for those!
Sources: (Health) (Whole New Mom)  (WebMD) (Dignity Health)

See also: Know how to listen to your body and improve your health

© Shutterstock