The holistic lifestyle is currently one of the trending topics on social media but it’s not always easy to understand what this lifestyle is all about – especially if you’re only a beginner who’s trying to find her way in the world of holistic living. That’s why today’s blogpost is all about the true meaning of a holistic lifestyle, its benefits and how you can live a vibrant, healthy, holistic life.
The true meaning of a holistic lifestyle
Holistic living means caring for all parts of yourself (mind, body and soul) and considering them all as vital to your wellbeing.
Think of your mind, body and soul as a stool with three legs: if one leg is deficient, it can make the whole thing unstable and you’ll topple over. The same thing happens when you tend to over-use one of the legs: you’ll lose your balance and fall down. But if all three legs are strong, the stool will be solid and it will be able to take a lot of pressure before it breaks. Knowing that your stool is strong and solid will also give you a lot more confidence and outside forces can’t knock you down that easily anymore.
In other words: a holistic lifestyle is all about balance and mindfulness and the belief that true health is only possible when your mind, body and soul are nurtured and in balance – whatever that looks like for you. Which means that a holistic lifestyle is going to look different for everyone based on their own personal values, schedule and goals. So it’s not an all or nothing approach or a rigid system to be followed: it’s a chosen path of living that is ultimately about what works best for you to nourish and care for your mind, body and soul.
Benefits of a holistic lifestyle
In case you’re someone who likes to make a pros and cons list before making a decision: here are some benefits of living holistically
It improves your overall physical health
It boosts your creativity
It reduces stress and anxiety
It improves your mood and emotional resilience
It increases your satisfaction with your life and your relationships
It boosts your productivity
You gain greater clarity in your goals and habits
And there’s more good news: holistic living is within reach for anyone who is willing to prioritize and intentionally choose the life they want to live.
Finding your way in the world of holistic living
Holistic living isn’t an all or nothing approach so go for balance and remember that every little step counts. Here are some ideas to get started:
Identify your values and goals: take some time to reflect on your personal values, purpose and goals and not only decide what “holistic” means to you but also what’s realistic for the season of life you’re in right now.
Eat foods that make you feel energized and healthy while still allowing you to enjoy the foods you love: for some people this means following a plant-based diet, meal prepping or eating intuitively while for others (including myself) it means clean eating for 80% of the time and indulging guilt-free the other 20% of the time.
Find movement you love and make time to move at least 30 minutes per day. There are literally hundreds of workouts to choose from so choose something you really enjoy doing. And remember: exercise looks different to everyone so it doesn’t always have to involve going for a run or working out at a fitness club. Things like walking, playing a game of tennis with a friend, swimming, dancing, yoga or pilates also get your body moving.
Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
Don’t smoke.
Don’t use drugs.
Avoid alcohol consumption.
Practice mindfulness and mindfulness meditation.
Make time for a little silence and self-reflection: it can be challenging to make time to truly process experiences and emotions in our noisy world full of notifications and distractions but practices that connect you to yourself, to a greater sense of purpose or to a higher power are integral to a holistic lifestyle. There are several ways to incorporate this into your life: meditation, prayer, breathwork, grounding exercises, tai chi, gratitude journaling, spending time in nature etc.
Prioritize relationships: no matter how busy life gets, make time to connect with loved ones, say hello to neighbors, call a friend you haven’t seen in a while or join a local club or organization.
Spend time outdoors: you could go hiking or camping but you can also take normal daily activities or exercise outside. Like going for a 10-minute walk during lunch break, drinking your coffee on the patio, going outside for a brunch or playing a game with your kids or meeting up with a friend in a local park or in your backyard.
Take a look at the ingredients list of your personal care products: harsh chemicals and plastics not only irritate your skin but they can even have an effect on your endocrine system. Go for products that feel good on your skin AND in your body. For instance, I don’t use any beauty products that contain parabens, silicones or mineral oils.
Challenge your brain to keep your mind active: maybe you’re immediately thinking of doing crossword puzzles or playing logic games but you could also take a class or lecture on something you find interesting (or listen to a podcast or TEDtalk about it).
Get creative: writing, sketching, knitting, making collages, drawing, painting, making your own candles or soaps – they’re all perfect things to do when you want to engage the creative side of your brain.
Set healthy boundaries with the people in your life: if you feel that some relationships in your life are regularly depleting your energy, increasing your stress, causing negative feelings or even bringing about toxic energy then setting boundaries is a healthy way to care for yourself. And don’t be afraid to walk away from friendships and relationships that are negatively affecting your wellbeing.
One more thing before you start: new habits won’t stick if you’re overwhelmed so start with small daily changes and take it one day at a time. For instance, take a short walk during your lunch break, try a new healthy recipe or practice deep breathing for a few minutes each day. And remember: incorporating holistic practices into your daily routine is a journey and it’s essential to find what works for you so experiment and see what resonates with you.
©HolisticHappiness2024
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