Holistic Health and Happiness - Dr Sangeetha Madhu and Sanjhna Shetty

Holistic health is defined as the physical, mental, spiritual, and overall wellness in an individual. Holistic health as a form of practice focuses on the whole individual and every aspect attached to them. Well-being, on the other hand, is defined as the overall experience of happiness, health, and prosperity. It is not only defined by the absence of illness or distress but the presence of life satisfaction and happiness. An individual’s perspective towards their life is connected to their overall well-being.

Aspects of holistic health

·         Physical: This aspect includes getting proper sleep (At least 6-8 hours), eating a well-balanced diet, physical exercise for 30 minutes, maintaining balanced blood sugar levels, cutting down on processed food and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, among others.

·         Emotional: Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques, seeking support either from a trusted peer or a mental health professional and using healthy coping techniques such as thought diary.

·         Social: Setting healthy boundaries in order to reduce toxicity and stress levels, getting involved with the local social circles, and being able to walk away from the relationships that serve no purpose or do more harm than good.

·         Spiritual: Being one with nature, practicing meditation and if one is religious, including practices from their religion, among others

·         Mental: Mental health shares a close connection with emotional and physical health. Consciously attempting to learn, positively challenge oneself, including foods high in antioxidants since they assist in cognitive functioning.

Importance of holistic health

The world we currently live in is consumed with high levels of stress and other negative emotions which adversely impact our health and happiness. The foods we consume, the environment we live in are causing harmful effects due to the chemicals present in them. Those who are living with chronic diseases benefit the most with holistic health approach. Having said that, holistic health is for everyone as it considers the environmental factors as well as internal factors which could impact our overall wellness and systematically addresses the issues.

Connection between happiness and health

The experiences of happiness and health go hand in hand. Research states that unhappiness is associated with poor health. If negative health conditions are chronic, it may lead to increase in likelihood of diseases. Likewise, a good health is linked with increased amount of happiness.The major focus of holistic healing and happiness is to assist an individual in experiencing a deeper level of joy and healthy way of being.

 

References

The 5 Aspects Of Holistic Health And Why They Are So Important. The Well Essentials. Retrieved 15 May 2021, from https://www.thewellessentials.com/blog/the-5-aspects-of-holistic-health-and-why-they-are-so-important.

Science-Backed Links Between Health And Happiness. Verywell Mind. Retrieved 15 May 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-link-between-happiness-and-health-3144619.

What Is Well-Being? Definition, Types, and Well-Being Skills. Psychology Today. Retrieved 15 May 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201901/what-is-well-being-definition-types-and-well-being-skills.