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Are you living the holistic life you truly desire? What does it mean to lead a holistic healthful lifestyle, anyway? A holistic approach to health means caring for the whole person by presenting the best options for your mental, physical, spiritual and social needs. Fundamentally, it is the understanding that all these aspects impact your complete health. And the belief that being unwell in one aspect can affect you in others. Where can you begin?

#1 Eat Fresh, Simple Foods

I am a firm believer in starting from within yourself to create positive change. If you take care of the inside, then the inside can take care of the outside. Your internal monologue can change your thinking which, in turn, can change behavior.

Having a positive mindset and visualizing your new life is an important first step. Action steps for starting a holistic life with your body are consuming nutritional whole foods, herbs, and vitamins. Eating fresh, simple foods is very beneficial because you provide your body with nature’s micronutrients which cannot be found anywhere else other than whole foods. Whole foods are plant edibles that are unrefined and untreated. Some types of whole foods which are healthy to eat are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tubers (such as potatoes), and legumes (such as beans, lentils). Making a list of healthy foods and then choosing which foods you like from that list is a good place to start.

Here are a few healthy recipes to enjoy:

#2 Exercise

Exercise helps everything! In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, consistent, enjoyable physical movement can also help with weight loss, circulation throughout the entire body and brain, oxygen uptake to all cells and organs, maintaining lower blood pressure, can stimulate the release of endorphins (hormones which can create a feeling of happiness and ease pain) within the body, can cause better lung function, and many, many other benefits. Fresh air and using breathing exercises by taking long, slow deep breaths is one of the best ways to relax and relieve stress.

Yoga combines stretching, some weight-bearing poses, different forms of deep breathing exercises, and can help with balance which are all important, especially as we age. Walking, Tai-Chi, swimming, sports, dance and cycling are other forms of exercises you can choose from to practice. The more you enjoy the type of exercise you do the more likely you will be consistent with it and will continue doing it in the future. Walking is an easy, inexpensive and effective form of movement. Our bodies are built for walking and research shows walking in nature can be very calming and therapeutic.

#3 Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies can be used along with or instead of mainstream therapies.

A few alternative therapies you can try are:

  • Acupuncture – can relieve pain and treat numerous physical, emotional and mental conditions with the use of an ancient Chinese system involving gentle needle pricks on the body
  • Body Massage – light or deep pressure placed on the soft tissues of the body to treat pain or stress
  • Chromotherapy (color therapy) – uses color and sometimes light to treat physical or mental conditions by balancing your body energy centers, which are also called chakras
  • Reflexology – massage of feet and hands
  • Energy Work/Reiki – rejuvenation of the body’s vibrations

#4 Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are generally used to lower everyday stresses. They can help provide calmer and more clear thinking. Achieving a relaxed state can lower blood pressure, along with producing better concentration and memory abilities, and reduce tension.

A few ways to relax are:

  • Sauna – can remove toxins and benefit overall heart health
  • Deep breathing – slow, long, deep breaths can lower blood pressure and calm anxiety
  • Hydrotherapy – baths, steams, hot tubs, underwater massages, foot baths

#5 Calm Your Mind

Here are holistic ways to help you have a happier and more calm mind:

  • Affirmations – repetitive positive affirmations or statements to boost mood, calm the mind or change thinking patterns … such as, “I am at peace,” “I believe in myself”
  • Visualization – on a daily basis quiet your mind, close your eyes and visualize in detail what you want, where you want to live, what kind of life you want to have, or anything you desire
  • Meditation – quiet meditation 10 minutes a day can do wonders to relax your mind
  • Loving yourself – can enable you to enjoy a more fulfilling life by taking care of you, setting boundaries, being honest with yourself about what you really want, and balancing your life

A few ways to love yourself:

  • Treating yourself with delicious healthy food, body massage, a hot bath
  • Taking time for yourself to do things you enjoy such as reading, exercising, relaxing, crafting, painting
  • Find ways to play and have fun with activities and tasks in your daily life
  • Talking to family members and friends on the phone, engaging on social media

A favorite book of mine which can help you manifest the life you want is “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy, Ph.D., D.D. A great read…click here to check it out on Amazon!

#6 Spiritual Rituals

Spiritual rituals are very personal. You can choose to pray, meditate peacefully, find ways to forgive others, or just be open and accepting of blessings in your life. Deciding to receive everything that comes to you with simplicity and ease can be a way to stay calm, clear headed and enables you to solve problems and enjoy life more.

Finding like-minded people to gather with spiritually can be enlightening by connecting, learning and sharing with others. Transcendental Meditation and Unity are two options for you to join if you desire. T.M. is a certain type of quiet mantra meditation and the groups that constitute the Transcendental Meditation Movement. Unity is a worldwide group looking to accept the good in all. Spiritual leadership in healing is its main importance.

#7 Socialize with Others

What are the benefits of being social? Socializing with others can improve cognitive skills, memory ability and expand your feeling of happiness. It is preferable to see people in person, however, reaching out by way of technology works as well. Social media can be a great help for anyone. People who are busy working long hours can connect with family and friends easily through texting, Facebook, Instagram, Zoom or FaceTime, etc. at any time. If you are isolated for any reason it can prevent feelings of loneliness. Or if someone lives alone socializing can be quite uplifting to their mood. Some people share cocktail hour with family or friends on Zoom or FaceTime. Distant relatives or loved ones traveling can show others crafts or food they have been making.

Laughter produces endorphins (happy brain hormones) mentioned earlier. It is also good for heart health because it increases your heart rate. Regular laughing can lower your risk of chronic disease and boost your immune system to help you avoid illness. Watching a funny movie is a great way to laugh-it-up and to gain these benefits!

A good book to read: “Laughter: A Scientific Investigation” by Robert R. Provine…click here to check it  out on Amazon!

But, what if taking care of a loved one is part of your life’s stress?

Alas, sometimes, life’s circumstances can get in the way of our greatest plans…especially if you are responsible for caring for a loved one suffering from loneliness or isolation (for example due to Alzheimer’s).  Consider reading my post on “Fighting Senior Loneliness with AI Companion Pets“…many find this a simple solution to a VERY complex problem!

Making joy and laughter a big part of your life can be wonderfully life changing and provide a healthier life for yourself and those around you!

With kindest regards,

Cindy

 

 

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