Holistic Health It means that it is complete and formed as a whole from different parts. It refers to the completeness of health in different dimensions. It refers to the interconnectedness of different dimensions that contribute to overall well being of an individual. It is a lifestyle and an approach to life. It is taking responsibility for our health. We all need to focus on dealing with our holistic health, in considering our wholeness as individuals and how we interact with our environment.
Holistic Health and Wellness ● Combining all the dimensions of health and wellness would result in holistic health ● Holistic health emphasizes the connection of mind, body and spirit. It generally means a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit results in an overall feeling of well-being. ● It is determined by the decisions we make and by the way we live ● The goal is to achieve maximum well-being where everything is functioning at the highest level possible. ● The concept of holistic health encourages people to accept responsibility for their own level of well-being and everyday choices that affect their health.
Dimensions of Holistic Health
Physical Health Physical health is the state of well-being when all internal and external body parts can properly function as they are supposed to function It is the bodily aspect of health This is the condition of absence of diseases and injury in the body It is the ability to carry out daily tasks without suffering from undue fatigue. Ways to attain good physical health : ⮚ Keep your body free from diseases ⮚ Eat nutritious food ⮚ Never skip meals or overeat ⮚ Increase your level of immunity ⮚ Have a regular physical check-up with the doctor ⮚ Sleep at least 7-9 hours ⮚ Observe proper hygiene
Mental/Intellectual Health ● Mental health means being a life-long learner through continuously wanting to learn new things and improving one's skills. ● Refers to cognitive ability and skills to improve the quality of life ● It is the ability to reason, analyze, judge, produce and make rational decisions ● It affects what we think, how we think, feel and act. Ways to maintain good mental health : ⮚ Cope with the stress of life ⮚ Make meaningful contributions to your community ⮚ Work productively ⮚ Set realistic goals ⮚ Know the expectation and demands from yourself
Emotional Health ● It is the ability to recognize and express feelings adequately ● It is the ability to control emotions and maintain a realistic perspective of the situation ● It involves understanding and liking oneself Ways to improve emotional health: ⮚ Express feelings in appropriate ways ⮚ Be aware of and accept one's strength and weaknesses ⮚ Handle stress and seek help if needed ⮚ Develop a strong connection among family, friend and peers Always pray.
Social Health ● Ability to make and maintain meaningful relationships with other people ● Being socially accepted is also connected to our emotional well-being Ways to achieve social health: ⮚ Interact with different kinds of people ⮚ Accept and understand different cultural norms ⮚ Assume a positive self-image ⮚ Improve interpersonal communication skills.
Moral-Spiritual Health ● A sense of overall purpose in life ● A strong connection with belief and faith ● It is more about looking deep within oneself and understanding one's existence and faith. How to achieve moral-spiritual health: ⮚ Take time for yourself ⮚ Find a quiet moment daily ⮚ Be forgiving of others ⮚ Seek out your faith ⮚ Meditate ⮚ Respecting the elders and authorities
Financial Health Focuses on how a person handles his or her resources in order to maintain health condition. How to achieve financial health : Live within your means Spend wisely. Save for the future. Builds emergency funds Avoid excessive borrowing and manage your existing debt
6 Healthy Habits for Achieving Holistic Health
1. Manage stress One of the worst things for your body, mind and spirit is stress. Cut out toxic areas of your life to focus on happiness. Find creative outlets and hobbies to bring you joy and relieve stress. Stress is unavoidable, but for you to achieve a holistic lifestyle, you need to try to minimize stress as much as possible. 2. Eat nutritious and healthy food You need to feed your body to feel well. Focus on choosing nutrient-rich foods and aim to eat complete, balanced meals every day. Choose the right foods that provide the entire suits of vitamins and minerals your body needs to function.
3. Meditation Meditation can lead a person to holistic health. It will give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and overall health. Take time every day to find a peaceful corner and meditate on your inner spirit away from the distractions. Meditation means turning your attention away from any distractions . When your mind is focused, you will be at peace. 4. Exercise A regular exercise routine can enhance your mood and increase your sense of confidence . It reduces the risk of depression and mental decline. Exercise strengthens your body and mind. It relieves stress and releases happy hormones called endorphins that can help you achieve a positive outlook.
5. Sleep well It has been proven that lack of sleep is one of the root causes of many health problems . Getting enough sleep is essential for living a healthy life. It allows your body to process the day's events, repair cells and rebuild energy for the next day. Take a good night's sleep for at least 7-9 hours and wake up refreshed to face the challenges of the new day. 6. Stop smoking It is proven without a shadow of a doubt that smoking causes different illnesses. If you want to achieve holistic health, do not smoke. Smoking has a significant impact on all parts of an individual's life. It aggravates stress, anxiety and sleep disorders.