Holistic. What does that mean? Holistic Wellness. What does that look like?
These were questions I've had for years. What does it actually mean to approach your healht holistically? What does it entail? What does it look like?
But most importantly, how do I start?
Starting is always half the battle. Just starting means you are already half way to your goal. This works in every area of our lives. We tend to build things up as harder, more difficult, and even scary before we try something new. We tend to have a lot of resistance to new things.
What I've learned over these past years as I've been trying to figure out what holistic wellness looks like is this:
Tiny steps matter. In fact tiny steps are everything!
Tiny steps are more sustainable than huge large valiant efforts that tend to fall flat after the initial excitement wears off.
So as you find yourself reading over these key areas. Think about this:
What is one thing I can do TODAY to move my self in this direction?
One thing you can start today. That's it! That's enough!
Sleep. Metabolic disorder is so rampant in today's society. Metabolic syndrome or disorder is a key risk factor for things like type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and even cardiovascular disease. Sleep impacts how your body responds to insulin. It is very key. Sleep is also very important in losing weight. The goal here is 7-9 hours, whatever works best for your body. This might be a high goal for you. That is ok. What is one thing you can do today to get more restful sleep in the hours you do get?
Environment. Ufda. This is a big one and one that we don't always feel like we have control over. I was an Active Duty Environmental Health Officer in the United States Public Health Service for years. I get it. We are getting hit from all angles with toxic chemicals and our poor livers can not keep up. One area where we typically have a say over is in our homes. What is one item in your home that you want to switch to a non-toxic alternative?
Emotional Stress. Our emotions play a larger role in our overall health than I think most (including me at points in the past) give them credit for. Did you know that the trigger for inflammation in our body can be tripped for both physical stressors as well as emotional stressors? Yeah, I didn't either. This means our emotions can trigger inflammation in our bodies. The more I learn the more I find out inflammation is the root of all disease. Inflammation was the source of our son's febrile seizures. It took years and multiple specialists to finally figure that out. Low-grade chronic inflammation has been shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. What is one thing you can do for yourself, today, to ease some stress?
Diet. Of course. You expected this one right? Some boring old speech from a nutritionist about how to make sure you get your leafy greens in. Am I right? I for one can attest that the foodiest of the Foodies become nutritionist because we love our food! Food is fuel, and food is medicine. So what would you choose at the pharmacy? An agent that created a bunch of inflammation in you? Riddled you primed for disease? Or would you grab the agent that soothed, cooled, calmed, and brought balance to your body? So what will you choose from the farmacy today?
Style. Like my fashion style? Not quite....Style as in lifestyle. Getting active is important. I usually keep this one to the end, because for many of us exercise is the ticket that overwhelms. In my experience, getting progress on the above four items will help motivate and provide the energy needed to do number five. So don't beat yourself up if you don't get your exercise in. (See #3 why this isn't serving you). When all is said and done getting your heart rate up for 150 minutes a week has shown to be the sweet spot in everything from losing weight to reducing your risk for so many diseases. I can say this is still a work in progress for me. If I get a hike in, I'm good. If I don't I typically fall short on my minutes. But hey, that is why we are here.
Progress over Perfection!
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