Gone are those days when wellbeing is solely the absence of disease. Holistic consumerism is the new trend these days. As a result, people take a multi-faceted approach to their well-being, where health is just a part of a whole.
Holistic well-being considers every aspect of a person’s life, including physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social, and occupational wellness. This article will walk you through fundamental ideas you need to understand before achieving optimal well-being.
You are What You Eat
The rule of thumb is to eat balanced and good food to become healthy and fit. But in our chemically-exposed world, you also want to eat clean. So be aware of your food sources. Modern foods, both fresh and packaged, are now grown and made to accommodate our fast-paced lives.
For example, fresh produce these days are chemically adulterated and preservative-treated during storage. Whether synthetic or natural, chemicals put our bodies at risk. Packaged foods have become staples for us too. But you want to avoid them. Not only do they have unhealthy artificial preservatives and additives but also hormone-disrupting chemicals in their packaging.
Specifically, phthalates in plastics, PFASs in greaseproof wrappers, and BPAs in cans’ linings are toxic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals tend to copy, block, and stop our natural body hormones, causing you to experience adverse health effects.
Instead, you want to get fresh organic produce. Another is to opt for foods that use less harmful natural pesticides. Try growing your own fruits and veggies, as well. Gardening is both healthy and healing.
Of course, turning a leaf can be challenging. Eating habits, like any other habits, are hard to change. Take your time learning from several sites, like BuzzRX’s What’s the Buzz. Start taking small steps but be sure to deliver changes in yourself consistently. More importantly, drink a lot of water.
Humans are Social Animals
“No man is an island” may be old, but this classic saying will always hold true for all—and will always do. Despite having their own places in human existence, our minds, bodies, and souls can’t just survive in isolation. Don’t misunderstand. Socializing is not only for satisfying healthy relationships. There’s a lot more to it.
Socializing is good for your mental, emotional, and physical health. When we talk to someone, we achieve emotional catharsis, our feeling of relief. Venting our charged feelings can drain off some of our pain, abling us to cope with a problem for a while. Even just being listened to can give us the feeling of being less alone and supported. It always works both ways.
When troubled, taking a step back and looking at the issue from a different viewpoint helps you quickly find solutions for it. When issues are solved, it puts your mind at ease, eventually letting you get a good night’s rest. Finally, if you’re not stressed or sleep-deprived, your overall physical health will improve.
Your Body is Your Temple
Practice mindfulness meditation. It’s one of the good ways to do self-care. It doesn’t only involve accepting whatever arises in your awareness at each moment but also helping you to be kind and forgiving toward yourself. It also promotes improved emotional regulation, cognitive improvements, relationships, and physical health.
Mindfulness is not about quieting your mind or getting a state of eternal calm. Its ultimate goal is to concentrate on the present moment as it is, not on the past or the future. Then, you go with the flow. Once you establish concentration, let your inner thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations roll by without categorizing them as good or bad.
For example, pay attention to body sensations (like itch or tingling) or each part of your body from head to toe without judgment, and then let go. Another is to be aware of and accept the presence of joy, anger, or frustration without judgment and let them pass. You can also try to cope with cravings and replace the feeling by thinking it will just subside.
It’s common to get carried away in the thought. If your mind wanders off, gently bring it back to the present through external sensations that make up your moment-to-moment experience. You can use the light, the sound, the comfort of your bed, or anything as long as it’s there at present.
Last but the most important, get enough sleep. Otherwise, it will harm your overall health. Sleep deprivation is often linked to induced obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, reduced immune system function, poor cognitive performance, depression, lower sex drive, personality problems, relationship issues, and so much more. If you’re having a hard time sleeping, do mindfulness meditation before hitting the sack.
Final Thoughts
We’ve been missing out on life too much since we have to slog out in ever-competitive environments. Even worse, we’re unknowingly eating away at our overall health while doing so. The best way to overcome this situation is through achieving holistic wellness.