What is Holistic Nutrition & Holistic Living?
What comes to mind when you think of holistic living? You may think of healthy eating, time in nature, or alternative methods for health and wellness. While holistic living encourages mindful eating, the use of plants for healing, and various natural remedies, it goes deeper than this. It is a common misconception that holistic nutrition and holistic living only involves implementing natural remedies.
Holistic living, and holistic nutrition is all encompassing, with an awareness of the interconnection between mind & body. Think in terms of wholeness, rooted in a lifestyle, nourishing the mind, body, and soul. A whole-person approach is involved. Nourishing our minds and bodies involves various elements. Time spent being present in nature, is only one aspect.
Taking a whole-person approach gives consideration to the the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellness, recognizing how these areas influence one another, and intertwine. You cannot have a healthy, optimal functioning mind without a healthy, functioning body. Likewise, you cannot have a healthy, optimal functioning body with a healthy, functioning mind.
In simple terms, the whole is the sum of its parts. Holistic nutrition gives consideration to what a person is eating, as well as what a person is thinking, saying, doing, and listening to. These things are interconnected, and contribute to our overall well-being. While one thing may cause another thing to throw us off balance, one simple positive action may create balance.
This past weekend, Brian and I got to spend time together, sans kids, to be more present with one another, talk without interruption, and come back better connected as a couple. To anyone looking for a great spot near Pittsburgh, Hartwood Acres and Narcissi Winery both offer beautiful scenery, and a peaceful atmosphere.
To give a more specific example of how, the mind and body intertwine – a person with chronic anxiety may experience stomach aches, digestive issues, or headaches. Simply put, stress and anxiety increase the production of cortisol, which directly impacts the way our food is digested and absorbed. When cortisol levels are thrown off balance, we experience negative side effects such as headaches, stomach aches, or restless sleep. The good news is, we can offset this by incorporating holistic living & holistic nutrition to support mind-body balance, through implementing daily wellness practices, which create greater harmony between the mind and body. How so?
“The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.” ~ Brene’ Brown.
Think of small, daily habits and practices, which add up to whole of who you are. Creating a to-do list of wellness practices you enjoy, is one simple step you can take to implement a holistic lifestyle. A few things I enjoy each day include, drinking lots of water, eating a nourishing breakfast, time in nature (even if only for 15 minutes) writing, prayer, and meditation on uplifting, and encouraging thoughts. Our family limits screen time as best as we can, making more room for meaningful times together, too. The little things we do and say each day, truly adds up to whole of who we are as individuals, and as a family.
“Health is adding a level of intention to every area of your life” ~ Miranda Anderson
Holistic living, through incorporating balanced meals, time in nature, meaningful time with friends and loved ones, and being more mindful and self-aware, I believe, brings more joy and meaning to life. The best part is, there is no one size fits all. What works for one person, may not work for another. Remember, you are the creator of your life!
Simply setting your intentions, and acting upon them one moment at a time, will move you closer to where you’d like to be. Tell me, what’s one thing you’re implementing toward you and your family’s wellness? I hope this cleared up some confusion around holistic living & holistic nutrition.
Best regards,
Laura
