What does it mean to have a holistic approach to wellness?
A holistic approach to health and wellness focuses on the sum of all the parts, helping one to flourish completely. The Greek word for holistic is holos, meaning “whole.”
Therefore, a holistic approach means to provide support that looks at the whole person, not just one aspect of health needs, but also taking into consideration the physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing - the "whole.” More than molecules and atoms we are organisms and systems. Therefore, a holistic approach focusses on overall wellness, not just an illness or a condition. The big picture, so to speak.
According to the National Wellness Institute, there are actually six dimensions of wellness: emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual. Honoring all six of these dimensions in daily living, builds a holistic sense of wellness and fulfillment. The definition of wellness used by the National Wellness Institute as the active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward a more successful existence.
When beginning a holistic approach to living, become aware of how all of the dimensions interconnect, and how they contribute to overall wellness. Practicing a holistic lifestyle takes into account how a person contributes to their environment, community, the interconnectedness to work and play, the development of values and belief systems, the benefits of physical activity, healthy eating habits, self-care, self-esteem, confidence and so much more. Holistic wellness can be beneficial in every human endeavor.
Let's reflect deeper on the healthy eating habits and self-care aspect.
We are consumers. What we put in and on our bodies affects our overall wellness greatly. Developing an awareness of what is in our nutrition and skincare products is of utmost importance. However, did you know that the Food and Drug Administration only bans 11 potentially harmful ingredients for use in foods and skin-care products? Scary.
The FDA is supposed to protect the public health and welfare. They are responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. If that is the case, why then does, the United States only ban 11, whereas the European Union bans over 1400. This my reason for becoming a part of a global company that takes it a step further by banning over 2,000 potentially harmful ingredients in their nutrition and skincare products.
Chemical food and skincare additive have a long history. (That will have to be another blog post on its own!) The use of food additives increased greatly during the Industrial Revolution. Can you imagine Gloucester cheese with red lead to sweets treated with copper arsenite? Arsenite is considered one of the factors in Napoleon’s death because it was used in the wallpaper in his house. Yes, definitely another blog on food and skincare additives!
Until then, start to investigate product labels of the foods and products that you put in and on your body. Become aware that the whole person - mind, body, and skin, needs proper nourishment. Product labels can be deceiving since the FDA controls label requirements. You have to be your own wellness advocate.
It is with this holistic approach that I strive to help people flourish – mind, body and skin. It is my passion! If you are new to me, I hope you will come to see how deeply committed I am to helping you live a life well-balanced.
𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖...𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝑰 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈?
