As the new year is traditionally a time people try to make improvements, I thought it was a great time to discuss Whole Health and why it’s important to prioritize all pieces. The seven parts of Whole Health not only keep you mentally and physically healthier, as a bonus, it also helps keep your skin looking its best! As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, your inner health shows on your skin. The healthier you are, the healthier your skin looks and feels.
Whole Health covers connected aspects of your well-being, including physical, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental. It acknowledges that where you live, work, and go out significantly impact your health.
Whole Health focuses on prevention rather than just medical care, which is especially important for catching chronic illness or disease before they start or get worse. It focuses on what matters to the individual, encouraging healthier, longer lives through self-care and prevention, rather than just treating symptoms.
The 7 parts of Whole Health for your best health
You are probably already doing some Whole Health parts, so focus on the pieces you may be missing to stay as healthy as possible.
- Physical Health: Physical activity, prevention, nutrition, and sleep.
- Mental and Emotional Health: Stress management, resilience, therapy, counselling (counseling), and support.
- Social Health: Relationships, family, community, and support systems.
- Spiritual Health: Finding meaning, purpose, balance, and connection (not necessarily religious).
- Behavioural (Behavioral) Health: Lifestyle choices, personal habits, and cultural factors.
- Environmental Health: The impact of your surroundings, community, and chosen environment.
- Brain Health: Continuous learning, creativity, and mental stimulation.
Some tips to get started
If the idea of getting started seems overwhelming, try tackling the easier ones for you first, or double up on some.
Some examples:
- If you need some fitness motivation, try working out with a friend or family member to get your social part in as well.
- While you’re working out, listen to an audiobook on a subject you've always wanted to learn about to help exercise your brain as well.
- If you find you are having too many alcoholic drinks when you’re out being social, try swapping one or two out for a mocktail.
- If spiritual health is one that’s tough for you to integrate into your life, some forms of yoga, like Kundalini yoga (links to the Yoga Journal), offer you a spiritual experience while you move. It covers both your physical and spiritual aspects, and can also help you fulfill your social aspect if you take it in a class.
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This is just a high-level overview of the 7 parts of Whole Health for your best health. For some more healthy living tips, check out some of our other posts.
