The Pillars of Holistic Health and Well-being

Holistic health takes into consideration the totality of a person to achieve the appropriate balance in life, thereby resulting in optimal health and wellness. It integrates the five pillars of health, namely, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. When in good status and in combination, these five areas give a person the ability to live life to its fullest and happiest. If one area is put in jeopardy, there is a high probability that the other areas will also be affected. Let us look into the five pillars of holistic health and wellness and what you can do to improve on each one.

Physical Health

Whenever you think of health, it is the physical one that always comes to mind. The major focus of western medicine and the general population, as well as the physical well-being mainly because the signs and symptoms of physical ailments, are more concrete and obvious. Modern technological advances can practically explore the human body and find sources of disease. It is easy for physical signs to be identified and measured as compared to non-physical ones which are abstract and speculative.

Improving your physical health entails making a habit out of a few basic practices. The most fundamental of these  which is often ignored is getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night.  A full night’s rest is essential in enabling your body to relax, mend and rejuvenate. Another good habit to develop is to move your body for at least 30 minutes a day. There is no need for vigorous exercise routines as this will have to depend on factors such as age, body structure, health conditions and more. A minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per day will provide benefits beyond weight loss and muscle strength. The trend toward low cholesterol and organic food lately are here for a good reason. You should limit your intake of hydrogenated oils and processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, fat and more substances that will definitely affect your body systems in the long run.

Emotional Health

It is remarkable that more and more people are starting to take notice of their emotional state. Emotional health is an extremely important aspect of your well-being as it can greatly affect your physical health, not to mention your chances to live a life that is full of joy and content.  Going out into society with all its pressures and stressors will be an impossible task if your emotional health is compromised. There are those who were not able to handle it and had gradually or even abruptly withdrawn into their limited and claustrophobic comfort zones.

When in doubt, seek professional help! Gone are the days of stigma and discrimination against people who seek therapy. An objective and non-judgmental opinion go a long way in restoring diminishing self-esteem.  Having a record of your daily activities, feelings and thoughts, whether they are positive or not is a tried and tested way of supporting one’s emotional state, too. Keeping a journal is a brilliant way in which you can look back and analyze your reactions to certain situations and find the ideal solutions should there be a need for them. Reading through happy moments will make you realize that life isn’t that bad at all.

Social Health

“Man is not an island”, being one of the oldest sayings, absolutely still holds true to this day and age. People who consider themselves “in a good place” are those who have developed sound relationships with family, friends, and their community.  An untroubled personal relationship grants you a feeling of belonging and being wanted.  Make and savor time with your family or regularly communicate with them. Catch up on dear, old friends and try making new ones. Check out community bulletins and see if any activity piques your interest; better yet volunteer for a good cause.

Be with people who bring out the good in you and never hesitate to separate yourself from those who negatively affect you by their toxic energy and increasing your levels of stress.

Spiritual Health

Spirituality and religiosity are two different things. Your spiritual status does not necessarily involve the church or religious group you belong to. It may sometimes be confusing but there is no need to be fanatically religious to support your spiritual health. The principal  focus in maintaining spiritual well-being is having a solid connection with your soul and the world around you. Take the time to surround yourself with nature and all the wonderful things it can offer. Meditate on what is good and important in life and focus on them. Practice your faith in the way you feel is most significant and meaningful.

Mental Health

Mental health, more often than, not is confused with emotional health. There are areas wherein they may overlap but basically, mental health deals with the functions of the brain whereas emotional health is concerned with feelings and moods. Physical health also plays a major part in this aspect as physical components of the body, such as substance abuse or poor nutrition can ultimately result in a decrease in cognitive abilities and mental dysfunction. Excessive alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and prohibited drug dependence have been proven to be detrimental to your brain function.  It is advisable to keep your brain stimulated with learning opportunities and activities which challenge your cerebral abilities. Consuming foods that are nutritious and are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can also aid in achieving brain health.

Visit a wellness & holistic medicine clinic that will ensure that you live your life to the fullest, healthiest and therefore, happiest way possible.