Holistic approaches to wellness are becoming more popular to help promote overall wellness and vitality. Hopefully, you may achieve better balance of the mind, body and, for some, the spirit. The term ‘holistic’ generally means that a person is treated as whole rather than one part. There is a great quote used by Gestalt “the whole is more than the sum of parts”
“The natural healing force in each one of us is the greatest force in getting well – Hippocrates
Holistic Practitioners believe that if one part of the mind or body is out of balance then other parts are affected too. They also believe that we have our own innate healing ability to support the healing process.
A holistic approach to health is not a new concept and has been around for a long time. There are so many wonderful therapies and approaches available that you are spoilt for choice.
In his book The Republic, written in 380BC, Plato wrote the following:
“The cure of the part should not be attempted without treatment of the whole. No attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul, and therefore if the head and the body are to be healthy, you must begin by curing the mind. That is the first thing. Let no one persuade you to cure the head until he has first given you his soul to be cured. For this is the great error of our day in the treatment of the human body, that physicians first separate the soul from the body.
It is no surprise that these beliefs are held in many countries across the world. Chinese people believe in a life-force, or a flow of energy, known as Chi. They believe that when these flows of energy throughout the body become disrupted or blocked in some way, the body will fall out of balance and disease will manifest itself somewhere. There are several different words to describe this life force energy and it is also referred to as Prana, but they are all fundamentally the same.
A holistic approach to feeling balanced and well is not embraced by everyone, yet there are many that enjoy the benefits of such treatments. Perhaps we can consider the “placebo approach in that if a person feels that it is helping them and it causes no harm, then why not?
There are so many different modalities to choose from that you may feel confused as to where to begin. Why not try as many as you can, giving time in-between so you can measure how you are feeling or benefiting. Eventually, you are likely to become fond of one particular therapy over another.
Holistic Therapies
My clients particularly enjoy the following:
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Acupuncture
- Hypnotherapy
- Homeopathy
- Massage
Each of the above has its own merits and benefits and you may find that you enjoy Reiki to promote peace and calm in your life, and hypnotherapy to help you move away from unhealthy habits. Do what feels right for you.
Ultimately, taking responsibility for staying fit, healthy and well is a wonderful gift you can give to yourself. Adding on the elements of a holistic approach may be something else you consider to support your wellness goals.
The above is not a substitute for medical advice, and you are strongly encouraged to see your GP for health conditions that concern you. A holistic approach to wellness may compliment your wellness but does not replace medical advice.
If you have enjoyed this Blog and would like to know more, why not head over to the Flourish Beyond 40 Shop and check out the Holistic Approach to Wellness Module to see how we can help support you in your journey towards health and wellness.
Have a healthy day!
Isobel McArthur
