What is Holistic Health & Wellness?
- An ancient concept prescribing treatment according to the overall health status of the individual, not picking one specific symptom for treatment.
- Holistic means consideration of the entire individual – mind, body, and soul – when treating illness and disease.
- Holistic Wellness is an individual’s perception of and acceptance of or satisfaction with their overall health status.
- The entire individual taken into account when prescribing herbal remedies and spiritual practices developed over generations to ward off and treat illness.
- Holistic practices view individual health from the perspective of the Ten Dimensions of Health and Wellness.
- Holistic health and wellness is a healthy balance of every function of the individual – mental, physical, spiritual, social, and emotional.
Effects of Aging: physical changes caused by normal aging.
- Gradual loss of bone tissue can lead to the development of osteoporosis.
- Joints lose flexibility due to repetitive motion, wear and tear, and water loss from tissues leading to inflammation, damage, and arthritis.
- Skin cells lose moisture and shrink making skin thin and vulnerable to bruises and tears.
- Increased time to recover from stress, shock, or surprise; it takes longer for heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal.
- Circulation decreases as vessels lose elasticity and plaque builds up inside, increasing blood pressure.
- Decreased sense of thirst can lead to chronic dehydration.
- Difficulty chewing increases the risk of poor digestion and incomplete nutrient absorption.
- Decreased immune system function leading to vulnerability to infection.
- Decreased muscle mass with weight gain, decreased joint function, and loss of bone density all combine for an accident and injury waiting to happen.
Achieving Wellness: changes in lifestyle to slow aging and prevent disease.
- Consume a well-balanced and nutrient dense diet of fresh and unprocessed meats, nuts and beans, dairy, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Avoid processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and excessive amounts of sugar and caffeine.
- Drink at least 32 oz of water, herbal teas, animal or vegetable milk and/or fruit or vegetable juices each day to prevent dehydration and maintain strength of hair, skin, and nails.
- Green, black, and oolong teas as well as coffee, soda, and energy drinks with artificial sweeteners all have a diuretic effect on the body and work to reduce water consumed.
- Remaining active and walking often throughout life will promote muscle retention well into aging and reduce the risk of accidents due to muscle weakness.
- Regularly participating in educational or community settings will promote mental, emotional, and social wellbeing well into aging.
- Dealing with life’s stresses in a calm and conscious manner will reduce the damage to the heart and nervous system that accumulates from stress throughout life.
Maintaining Longevity: habits that increase your life span.
- Practice a relaxation technique, at least sometimes.
- Be grateful for what life has brought you. Being thankful for what you have.
- Continue to learn new things and use your mind. Use it or lose it!
- Take a walk every day. Again, use it or lose it!
- Enjoy the little things. A smile and a laugh go a long way.
- Get lots of sunshine in short periods without burning.
- Eat a well-rounded diet limiting junk foods.
- Take care of your skin. Drink plenty of water and moisturize with natural moisturizers.
- Accept others as they are. Love people for their differences!
- Accept yourself as you are. Love your own differences!