What is Holistic Wellness

Holistic wellness isn’t just a trend.

We have long been aware of the importance of being healthy, at least physically. However, the past two decades have seen a rise in wellness. And for good reason. 

Low energy? Stress? Overstimulation? All these words are synonyms with things we experience week in, week out. 

And this is why more and more people are embracing holistic wellness and alternative medicine. We can no longer rely on quick fixes and band-aid solutions that only address the symptoms and never the root problem.

So, what is holistic wellness? 

Holistic wellness is a comprehensive approach to health and well-being. It extends beyond merely being physically healthy and considers the mind, body, and soul. 

Holistic wellness is a personalized lifestyle that basically encourages you to become the very best person your potential and circumstances will allow. 

This approach to wellness encourages you to care for the body, mind, and soul. You are not well unless your “whole self” is well. 

Another standard definition of holistic wellness is related to alternative medicine. This includes opting for natural remedies, such as herbs or teas. Since alternative medicine typically improves overall wellness, all this is part of being holistically well. 

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The key pillars of holistic wellness 

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is the most popular dimension of wellness. The standard definition of physical wellness is “being free of disease.” However, being physically well encompasses so much more than merely being free of disease. When I mention physical wellness, it includes everything that affects how we function on a physical level, from core things like nutrition and sleep to fitness and energy. 

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Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness is all about being able to check in with your emotions. Your emotions influence your relationships with yourself and others. You can use practices such as mindfulness and holistic stress management techniques to manage your emotions healthily.  

Mental Wellness

Mental well-being is one of the most overlooked aspects of well-being. And it is a shame since, to a large extent, our mental well-being determines how well we can take care of our overall wellness. A healthy mind can stay present at the moment, think critically, and make decisions. A healthy mind is able to learn and grow. You need a healthy mind to communicate well with others. A healthy mind is resilient. 

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness is all about your connection to something larger than yourself. It looks different for different people, communities, and societies. However, the goal is to be spiritually healthy and to find your purpose and meaning in life. Research shows that spiritually healthy individuals are more motivated, resilient, and generally more content with their lives. 

Social Wellness

Social wellness is about building healthy and supportive relationships with the people around us. Research shows that the happiest people typically have a very rich social life. We are undoubtedly becoming more individualistic as a society, which is not good. Humans are social creatures. The online interactions we currently prioritize are not enough. 

Other Components of Holistic Wellness 

Occupational Wellness

Work is a large part of our lives. In fact, next to sleep, we spend most of our time working. So it stands to reason that how we feel about work and our work environment influences the other aspects of our lives. Endeavor to find joy and fulfillment in the work you do. Otherwise, you will be miserable. Additionally, make sure you create a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout. 

Financial Wellness

Do you know the saying, “Money doesn’t buy happiness,” or something along those lines? Well, this was debunked. A recent study shows that money makes you happy. Most importantly, several studies have shown that financial stress is linked to lower productivity and motivation and increases stress. The best thing you can do for yourself is invest in financial literacy and learn how to manage your money effectively. 

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness is another important aspect of holistic wellness. First, it is about understanding how your environment, whether natural, social, or built, influences your well-being. Second, it is about being aware of our planet’s unstable state and taking the initiative to reduce your carbon imprint.

Why is Holistic Wellness Gaining Popularity?

Holistic wellness is gaining popularity because it is a departure from the typical definition of wellness- being physically well. In holistic wellness, being physically well is only one part of the story. There are several parts, including mental and emotional wellness. And all these parts are all connected. It is gaining popularity because it encourages us to look at all dimensions of well-being, which, as a result, allows us to pursue true health that extends beyond merely treating symptoms and relying on band-aid solutions. 

Secondly, holistic wellness is becoming increasingly popular because it encourages us to find balance. In a society that feels overwhelming, practicing mindfulness and self-care allows us to reconnect with our inner self, find purpose, be more grounded, and, as a result, be more fulfilled. 

Benefits of Holistic Wellness

Better physical health—Embracing holistic wellness means embracing habits and practices that naturally improve your physical well-being. Knowing all aspects of your person are interrelated means you will eat well, sleep 7-9 hours, and move your body. This, in turn, leads to sustainable physical health based on an all-around approach rather than quick fixes. 

Mental clarity—Similarly, when you take a holistic approach to well-being, your mental well-being dramatically improves, leading to mental clarity and better decision-making.  

Boosting productivity – When you feel great, physically, mentally, and emotionally you will be more productive. 

Simple Practices to Embrace and Achieve Holistic Wellness 

There are so many ways to incorporate holistic wellness into your life. In fact, I can’t cover all of the endless ways. But that is the reason I started this blog, to try and cover as many simple practices that you can embrace to achieve holistic wellness.

The great thing is, that there is no “right” solution. As you learn and grow, you will realize that different areas of your life intersect and influence each other. The goal is to slowly improve each aspect and develop a whole-person approach to wellness. 

The following ways are simple suggestions that can improve different aspects of wellness and create a snowball effect that improves your overall wellness.

1. Regular physical activity, including joyful regular movements like yoga, somatic exercises, and dancing.

2. Practice holistic nutrition – Eat wholesome, nutrient-dense meals.

3. Consider vitamins and supplements, including natural supplements. 

4. Practice mindful eating 

5. Practice gratitude for instance through gratitude journaling

6. Embrace mindfulness, meditation

7. Journaling 

8. Deep breathing exercises 

9. Spend time in nature

10. Create a mindful morning routine that ensures you have a great day

11. Practice self-care

12. Dedicate time for social connections with your family, friends, and local communities. 

13. Detox from technology once in a while

To Sum Up

Holistic wellness is not just about crystals and aromatherapy, although these are part of it. It is about living a life that allows you to be your very best self. Looking at wellness from a multi-faceted approach is the only way to achieve true empowerment for the whole person. Remember, you can’t neglect one dimension of wellness. With time, it will affect the rest and subsequently your well-being and quality of life.