The first of a 4-part series about what it really means to live holistically, by Christina Keawwantha.

Holistic Health has become something of a buzz word in today’s health media, but what does it actually mean, and how can we incorporate it into our every day lives?

The Holistic model of health views the body, mind and Soul as part of an integrated and connected whole. This is in contrast to the typical approach of modern medicine which separates mental/emotional health and physical health, and leaves the decidedly un-scientific realm of the Soul entirely alone!

Viewing our health inline with the holistic model means that we understand that an imbalance in one element of our being (physical, mental, emotional or Spiritual) will give rise to, or is signaling, an imbalance in the other elements. We have all experienced this communication between the different elements of our being; when fear or anger arises when we experience physical pain; when we suffer headaches and indigestion due to stress; when we crave sweets or carbs when we are feeling emotionally vulnerable; and when we experience vitality and health when we are moving forward towards our goals, or depression and sickness when our goals are being blocked. It is also why some physical aches and pains can be cleared when we address emotional and mental stresses, and why many nervous and emotional conditions can show improvement when a whole and balanced diet is implemented.

Realizing the integration of the different aspects of ourself opens up the possibilities for achieving greater health and happiness on all levels. By incorporating a holistic model into our daily lives, we can start to take greater responsibility for our own health, and it doesn’t need to be time-consuming or chore-some. In fact, it can be very easy and satisfying to make a start…………..

– To begin creating a strong and stable foundation, make a commitment to incorporate some simple changes on the physical level. Start with just one or two changes which you can comfortably and practically accommodate. It may cutting out 1 cup of coffee a day, a 20 minute workout three times a week or a whole, natural, home cooked meal at the weekends.

– Take some time each day to unwind and de-stress, especially if your day involves a lot of mental activity. It may be relaxing at home, listening to your favorite cd or a jog through the park. Whatever it is, make it a conscious ‘time to unwind’; tell your body and mind that this time, whether it is a 2 hour massage or a 5 minutes between meetings, is time to relax. Simply labeling the time as ‘relax time’ in your own mind will help you to slow down.

– It is also important to tune into our emotions on a regular basis. An effective and easy approach is simply to ask yourself how you are feeling, without judging the emotion which is present. Simply become aware of its presence in your body and then let it go. Tuning into your emotions doesn’t mean you have to become a psychotherapist and start analyzing and rationalizing. It simply means becoming aware of your emotions throughout the day.

Incorporating holistic approaches into our every day life can lead us to greater health and a better understanding of ourselves and what we require in order to be happy, centered and moving forward in life.

For more information about holistic health, you can visit Christina’s website, www.anamwellness.com or contact her through Atmanjai.

Christina will be continuing this series of blogs on the first Monday of each month, looking in greater depth at how to approach a more holistic lifestyle with regards to the physical, mental, emotional and Spiritual aspects of our being.