Maintaining good health is one of the most important aspects of our lives, but it is more than just about what we eat. While a balanced diet is crucial for our physical well-being, being healthy is a holistic concept that encompasses our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Holistic health has many pillars of rating a person’s overall health. As mentioned above, whole person health is more than just physical. It is also how we, as individuals, feel and function every day. It is about our mental and emotional health, and how we feel spiritually, how we feel connected in our families, in our communities, in our world.
Yet, so many times, as a health coach, I hear that someone needs assistance with their diet. Which is something we all needs to continually be mindful of, but overall health is more than just what is on our plates. I oftentimes find myself saying “you can eat salads at every meal, but if you are not paying attention to all other aspects of your life, you won’t lose (or gain if you need to) the weight and feel better.”
Here are some reasons why being healthy is more than just eating right:
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health. Exercise helps to keep our bodies fit and healthy, strengthens our immune system, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Exercise also has mental health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389)
- Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for good health. Sleep is the time when our bodies repair and regenerate, and lack of sleep can lead to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and depression. Getting enough sleep is just as important as eating well and exercising regularly.
- Stress management: Stress can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. It’s essential to manage stress through practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.
- Social connections: Maintaining strong social connections is vital for good health. Studies have shown that people with strong social networks are happier, healthier, and live longer than those who are socially isolated. Social connections can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide a sense of belonging. (https://www.mhanational.org/connect-others)
- Mental health: Good mental health is essential for overall well-being. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety can affect our physical health and quality of life. It’s important to seek help if you are struggling with your mental health and to practice self-care, such as taking time for yourself and doing activities that bring you joy.
- Environmental factors: The environment we live in can also affect our health. Exposure to air pollution, toxins, and other environmental factors can lead to a range of health problems. It’s important to be aware of the environmental factors that can affect our health and take steps to reduce our exposure. (We will touch more on this in future blogs and upcoming Kindness Courses through justbekindhealthy.com.)
Achieving overall health comes down to more than just eating right. It’s about taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, managing stress, maintaining social connections, and being aware of environmental factors that can affect our health. Approaching our health in a holistic way, we can allow our lives to be richer, helping us live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
As holistic health coach, I am here to support you on your health journey. My approach to working with you and all of my clients is to assist you in identifying what is your biggest health issue, and together, we come up with a solution. It is not one size fits all. We are all unique. Approaching healthy lifestyle changes is more than just changing what we eat; it is looking at food in a way that can help us have more energy, manage our stress, allow us to feel more confident in our relationships, all while being conscious of what we are putting into our bodies.