Holistic living. Holistic lifestyle. Holistic health. Holistic healing. Holistic everything.
I’m sure you have a particular picture in your mind that depicts anything ‘holistic’ to you.
Depending whether you like and understand what you see in your mind – how likely it is you would even consider a holistic lifestyle for yourself?
At the beginning of my holistic journey, based on the depiction of ‘holistic lifestyle‘, my first reaction was “Nah!”
Actually, it wasn’t just ‘nah’. It was a deeper feeling, almost a rejection, merely based on portrayal of holistic lifestyle. In my opinion, even nowadays the pictures of ‘holistic lifestyle‘ are not accurate, sometimes even misleading.
So, what changed my mind? Read on!
What is Holistic lifestyle and what it is NOT
We all heard about holistic lifestyle, but what does it mean?
What are the benefits? Where do I start? What do I have to do? What can’t I do?
These were my questions in the early 2000’, when I came across ‘holistic lifestyle’ for the first time. I was intrigued, so I googled it. Yep, I can still hear the dial-up tone of the computer….
The pictures showing up were pretty much the same. Yoga poses on the beach during sunrise, a hand holding a lotus flower, some healing crystals, sage smudging, singing bowls, long haired boho girls with drums and feathers in their hair, bowls with only veggies and avocados in them….
And I thought “I have to do what? I have to be what? Fuck that!”
Based on the images I saw, and the little information I immersed myself in – I wasn’t interested at all. I didn’t want to become a vegan, or a boho girl (and I still don’t), I wasn’t interested in yoga on a beach or attending drum circles. I was drinking back then, enjoying my life.
But I wanted to make a change in my life that would get me ‘closer’. Closer to what, I didn’t know back then. I just felt that there was something missing in my life. I was longing for something, something magical, that would make my life better.
I was longing to feel whole!
Seeing my mom going through breast cancer treatments and how it changed her, seeing my dad struggling – nay – neglecting his health, observing my maternal grandma and her struggles with her alcoholic son (my uncle) and observing my brother and his ‘habits’ – I knew there must be a better way to live a healthy, vital and abundant life.
But first let’s talk about “health”
What is health?
What is health? How do you know you are healthy? Just because you are not ‘sick’, it doesn’t mean you are healthy. I know that now.
A statement from the preface of the World Health Organization’s constitution, adopted in 1946, already portrayed its belief in holistic health from its very formation, by citing:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
There are four recognized aspects of overall health: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
Majority of humans focus merely on the aspects of physical health, and maybe a little on mental health. There is still a lot of stigma when it comes to mental health.
I believe that what happens to one aspect of our well-being, affects all other aspects as well.
I’ve seen it happening with my family, friends and with myself as well. And I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about. Whenever you feel “off”, almost everything about you feels off.
I do prefer the holistic approach to health.
However, as a person who saw her family and friends struggle with health and life in general, I’ve seen and experienced the ability of Western Medicine to help and heal.
As a person who suffered from various dis-balances, diseases and (chronic) illnesses – I’ve experienced first hand the power of Eastern medicine to help and heal.
Holistic lifestyle allows for the fusion of both Western and Eastern medicine for the best outcome possible. It calls for a connected way of living, it looks at all aspects of health and wellness.
Holistic health and healing is personalized to your needs and struggles.
It simply means that you know when it is fitting to reach for a natural remedy, while also knowing when it is necessary to consult with a physician about your condition. You are tuned in with your body and you know how to listen to it.
Holistic living and lifestyle
A holistic lifestyle takes into account all four aspects and focuses on how they work together to make us whole and healthy as a person.
Holistic living, or holistic lifestyle (yep, that’s my expertise! I am a Holistic Lifestyle Mentor. Did I mention it before?) focuses on you as a whole, understanding how elements such as diet, sleep, exercise, stress management and your daily habits are working together to impact your current state of being or ‘wellness’.
A holistic approach understands that the background of sickness or disease can be mental or emotional, not just physical and that there are a variety of different ways to approach the treatment of that individual. This approach is about finding the root, the cause of whatever is happening to you – not just treating the symptoms.
Holistic approach looks at you as a whole, not as just a manifestation of symptoms and side effects.
It is a connected way of living, a conscious living if you will, that is personal and individual to each person.
You eat the foods that are good for YOU, for your gut biome. It doesn’t matter what other people eat.
You engage in things that are good for YOU, that nourish your mind and soul. It doesn’t matter what other people do.
You do things that bring YOU joy and growth. It doesn’t matter what other people do.
How does it sound so far?
Is holistic lifestyle for me?
The short answer is “yes, if that’s what you want to embrace”.
And no, you don’t need to be a vegan, or have crystals, or fedoras with feathers or stop drinking alcohol.
You don’t need to journal (it does help though), or meditate – just be aware of your thoughts and how they make you feel and act.
Holistic lifestyle is about nourishing your mind, body and soul. It is about looking at the big picture – you as being whole.
You can’t make your life better by focusing on just one aspect like eating well, or getting healthier or personal growth.
Your focus should be on all aspects of your health, because it’s all interconnected. That’s what “wholeness” is. That’s what makes you whole again.
If you need help to start your journey to wholeness, go to askmarcela.com and let’s talk.
I know YOU CAN! Do you?