There have always been two methods of treating sickness, dating back to ancient times. Both use preventative and interventional measures. Naturalism was a belief held by Hippocrates, considered the founder of medicine. He maintained that the self-healing abilities of our bodies are sufficient to battle sickness and heal ourselves. A large number of people followed his teachings. On the other hand, others thought that intervention was preferable for illness control. They were opposed to the concept of preventative medicine.
Preventive methods were more prevalent in the nineteenth century. Following identifying disease-causing agents, intervention therapy has been the primary focus of attention. However, these tactics grew less and less popular as time went on. In addition, the adverse side effects of medications prompted health professionals to develop safer alternatives. And guess where they were able to locate them? Yes, in the centuries-old paradigms of complementary and alternative medicine and treatment.
Diseases have progressed to the point that they are considered epidemics in this millennium. The assertion holds in the case of acute illnesses (such as COVID-19) or chronic diseases (such as diabetes). The proactive approach is what ultimately saves us in both situations. The goal of holistic treatment is to achieve a state of well-being via several channels. First, the preventative modules are used to repair the body, the spirit, and the mind.
Five aspects of Holistic Health are listed below:
- Emotional Wellness
- Intellectual Wellness
- Physical Wellness
- Social Wellness
- Spiritual Wellness
A person’s ability to live each day, most healthily and happily as possible depends on all five of these components of holistic health. If one of these areas is damaged, the other ones wi be as well. Here’s each aspect in detail:
- Emotional Wellness: The most underappreciated fitness component involves our emotions. Evidence suggests that long-term emotional disorders cause many physical problems in people. In addition to physical ill-health, emotional distress may result in behavioral difficulties. Seeking therapy and support may help us better balance our emotions.
There are many ways you may support your mental well-being:
- But first, when counseling is required, seek it out. Therapy is critical to maintaining our emotional well-being and should be sought whenever needed to achieve this.
- Engage in mindfulness and stress reduction practices that may assist you in better managing the stresses of everyday life.
- Maintain a notebook in which you may write your ideas and emotions. For example, list all the things you are thankful for on your laptop since this may help you stay positive through times of stress.
- Intellectual Wellness: This section of the holistic care module overlaps with the emotional care section of the program. Our emotions significantly impact our ability to think and learn in various situations. When we are in our best moods, our ability to concentrate, remember things, be receptive, and make decisions improves. Learning new things and maintaining a healthy diet are excellent ways to improve our mental health. These activities help us to keep our emotions under control. While doing so, they contribute to the individual’s overall on all levels (physical, social, and spiritual).
There are many things you may do to support your mental health:
- But first, keep your mind busy by searching out learning opportunities and problem-solving methods that stretch your cognitive abilities and keep your brain working hard.
- Take in plenty of nutrient-dense foods that are strong in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which will aid in the reduction of general inflammation while also promoting improved cognitive performance.
- Avoid overindulging in alcoholic beverages, smoking, and using recreational drugs.
- Gut-healing foods such as bone broth and prebiotic and probiotic-rich meals may help you achieve better gut health. Because the brain and the stomach are intricately related, having a healthy gut is vital for having a healthy mind.
- Physical Wellness: When we think about health, most people immediately think of our physical well-being. The physical body often manifests bodily indications and symptoms of humans’ optimum or suboptimal health. In addition, these bodily indications and symptoms are simpler to monitor and evaluate than non-physical signs and symptoms, which might seem more abstract in their manifestation.
There are many things you may do to support your physical health, including the following:
- Every night, you should get 8 hours of sleep. This will help your body relax and mend itself after a long day’s work or play.
- Ensure your diet is heavy in plant-based meals and organic/pastured animal products to get the most nutrients.
- Eating meals and snacks high in fat, carbs, and protein every 3-4 hours can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
- Every day, spend 30 minutes moving your body. Everyone may benefit from at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, regardless of their fitness level or preferred mode of transportation.
- Processed foods and hydrogenated oils should be avoided since they are highly inflammatory and may raise the chance of developing chronic illness.
- Do not smoke, and limit your alcohol intake to a reasonable level.
- Social Wellness: Humans, after all, are social creatures, correct? In addition, our social contacts have an impact on our emotional moods. Therefore, connecting with others, whether family, friends, or coworkers, is necessary. As part of the holistic concept, volunteering promotes social networking among participants at the community level. Despite this, it recognizes the significance of removing oneself from potentially hazardous situations like climate change. Why? Because stress is one thing that is not permitted in the holistic approach.
Here are some suggestions on how you might improve your social well-being:
- First, make time for face-to-face communication. Even though technology has made us feel more connected, research has shown that virtual connection does not provide us with the same happiness as an in-person connection.
- Participate in the activities of your local community, like green living. Engaging in your local community, whether via your church, local volunteer groups, clubs, social development, or activities at your children’s school, is one of the most effective methods to enhance your social health and boost your happiness.
- Set boundaries with persons in your life who are likely to cause tension or poisonous energy in your environment. Don’t be scared to discontinue connections and relationships that have a detrimental impact on your well-being.
- Spiritual Wellness: Those with religious inclinations may find it easier to achieve spiritual energy than others. Religious activities may aid in improving their overall well-being. However, if you do not believe in religion, you are not required to attend a religious event. Practicing simple meditation in the company of nature might be sufficient for raising your mood.
- There are many ways you might support your spiritual well-being:
- Spend some time in the great outdoors.
- Spend a few minutes each day meditating to clear your mind.
- If you are religious, try to put your religion into action.
Holistic healthcare has been in use for thousands of years. It has begun to receive some recognition in recent years due to the interactive strategy that addresses all five of our health-related components. Taking care of all five brings about a sense of inner harmony, while disregarding even one of them may damage our health and well-being.