There has been a tremendous spike in holistic trends and sustainable living over the past few years.
According to the Global Wellness Summit 2020, the global health and wellness market – which refer to the wellbeing of body, mind and soul – reached a value of US$3.31 Billion in 2020.
Topics such as meditation and mindfulness, sustainable packaging and the health of our oceans are now commonly discussed on social media – compared to just a few years ago. More and more research on these topics is underway as consumers want to be educated and are willing to make real lifestyle changes.
The benefits of holistic living are numerous. Reduced stress levels and better overall stress management is a huge driving factor. Less stress means more joy, and more joy means more happiness. With a happier life, aging is slowed down, and risk of illness and disease minimized.
So, what does a holistic lifestyle look like and how can you add more holism to your own life? Firstly, holism is to bring a balance between body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is the realization that all these parts form part of one bigger picture; that they are interconnected as one influences the other. A holistic life is more than choosing natural products, natural skin care or natural medicine. It involves a deeper introspection to know what feels intuitively right for oneself.
Here are a few holistic ways in which you can bring balance to your life and live more holistically:
Mindfulness and meditation
Probably one of the most important aspects of holistic lifestyle is the ability to bring stillness to the mind. Especially in today’s world where we are bombarded by information and knowledge which ultimately leads to an overactive mind. Being in the ‘here and now’ help us to tap into universal consciousness and intelligence so that we could be guided intuitively to what is right for us. Meditation allows us to become aware of the overactive mind, our thoughts and how those thoughts affect our emotions and life. Mindfulness helps us to remain grounded and connected to ourselves in order to move with the ebbs and flows of life.
Create healthy habits
Here we need to look at the different aspects of the self – body, mind and spirit – and find healthy ways to create balance between all aspects. A healthy morning routine is always a good start to any day. You could bring in a few minutes of meditation, an exercise routine, planning your day (as to not get distracted unnecessarily), and perhaps a gratitude practice.
In a holistic lifestyle, success is achieved from consistency and not intensity. So, let go of the need to ‘punish’ yourself and do the best you can with what you have.
Include intentional choices for your day such as indulging in self-love practices such as positive affirmations, healthy dietary choices, or even something as simple as a 5 minute me-time tea break during a busy day.
Choosing sustainable and natural products, foods and medicines
The concept of ‘prevention is better than cure’ is the basis of this wellness tip. Much of our chronic lifestyle diseases, stress and weight issues are caused by our hectic schedules, sedentary lifestyles and ever-growing need for instant results and convenient options. As a result, we are unaware of what we put on and into our bodies and how that may affect our health and happiness. We can prevent much of this imbalance by simply choosing different options as consumers.
Try a natural remedy before grabbing for the regular OTC medication. Consider the mental and emotions causes of your dis-ease. (This is not to say that you should not visit a medical professional. Always consult a doctor for any prolonged or sudden health changes).
Cook your own food and know what you are consuming and how much. Eat mindfully – for example, don’t eat on the go but instead take time to nourish your body, mind and soul.
Perhaps try an energy healing session such as reiki or reflexology or go for a regular massage. Where possible, select natural and organic selfcare products free from synthetic chemicals. Be mindful of plastics and select environmentally friendly packaging as much as possible.
In conclusion, there is no one way to live holistically but there are several ways in which to take steps to a more holistic lifestyle. Start with one or two simple things that is achievable and start from there. Be kind and compassionate to yourself, your fellow humans and to our mother earth as you learn, grow and evolve. Remember life is to be enjoyed and shared.