When presented with the idea of living holistically, newcomers may balk at the ambiguity of the topic. With its seemingly limitless applications, holistic living can be as big or as small as you want it to be.
Gaining momentum in the Western culture in the 1960s, living holistically is the belief that intentional and mindful living can improve your quality of life. If you’re struggling in one area, considering the entire picture instead of just the symptom is holistic living at its’ best.
The practice is lifelong with no deadline or handbook, meaning the journey can truly be what you make it.
Nurturing Your Body
Taking care of your body is (hopefully) something we all learned from parent figures when we were young. Yet, things we know are good for us – like drinking enough water – are often dismissed for another cup of coffee as we hurry onto the next item on our to-do list. Keeping healthy practices in focus as we navigate work, family and hobbies is a tall order… but entirely worth it.
Food:
Fueling your body with food that makes you feel good is essential. Looking at mainstream diet guidelines is a good place to start, but it ultimately comes down to you. If a certain vegetable makes you feel bloated or you’ve decided certain meat is not for you, make the change!
Movement:
American entrepreneur Jim Rohn said “take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” While this is strikingly true, it is all too easy to neglect moving our literal soul-vessels until an issue has come up. Moving in a way that fulfills and challenges you boosts endorphin production and tunes you into places you may not feel 100%.
{with the cooler weather coming, we invite you to get outdoors and get moving with the help of our therapuetic products - socks, scarves, gloves, braces and more!}
Sleep:
Sleep is pretty great. While it is generally understood that our sleep needs decrease as we age, it is always important. Our incredibly complex brains need time to download and reset for the next day, enhancing our quality of life and keeping us safe from general hazards. If you’ve ever been sleep-deprived, you know how hard it can be to keep a level head and navigate life with the same care you usually do.
{take a peek at our Therapeutic Bed Set for an even better sleep experience}
Nurturing Your Mind
The mind is a multifaceted and sometimes intimidating place. If you’re suffering from a mental illness such as depression, your mind can be all-consuming. Nurturing your mind can be as easy as turning off the loud television or as involved as intense therapy. Regardless, your mind is something worth investing in, paying attention to, and developing.
Mindfulness:
The second mindfulness definition according to Oxford is “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” It’s a mouthful, but accurate. Taking a moment to reorient yourself throughout the day will give you the chance to live the best you can with your circumstances.
Intentionality:
Living intentionally goes hand in hand with mindfulness. Taking time for things you enjoy and focusing on the moments you have with other people can add up to a more fulfilling life. Living intentionally can be as small as intentionally waking up ten minutes early to ensure you’re not rushed, or telling someone close to you that you love them.
Living holistically is a practice, and there is no definite finish line, scorecard, or ranking. By living with the whole picture in mind, you can improve both your mental and physical health, connecting with yourself on a deeper level. Remember, nobody is perfect and nobody is living under the same circumstances as you. Give yourself a pat on the back and keep going.
