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Raise your hand if you are guilty….chirp chirp chirp.
Come on! Admit it. We have all used the words holistic wellness without really thinking about what it TRULY means.
When I think of the word wellness, I think of spa retreats where people go to relax and unwind by getting massaged and pampered. Or wellness programs which many employers have started implementing to encourage healthy behavior at the workplace.
On top of that, every corner seems to have Wellness Center that aims to bring some sort of good feeling or promises enlightenment comprising something completely different from the next only to leave me more confused.
Can anyone PLEASE tell me the actual meaning of holistic wellness?!
What is wellness?
The buzzword has become synonymous and used in combination with term health but without really understanding all that it entails.
Wellness is defined as:
“an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices towards, a more successful existence.”
In other words, we want lives that are holistic and fulfilling and in turn benefits us in a number of ways.
Nodding, nodding. Yes, that makes sense.
For instance, one study conducted with the Mayo Clinic looked at the psycho-social benefits of wellness coaching on 100 employees for 1 year. They assessed the domains and overall quality of life (QOL) of the participants, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress levels.
As a result, all participants exhibited:
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Significant improvements in all domains and overall quality of life (QOL)
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Reduced levels of depressive symptoms
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Decreased perceived stress levels
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And maintained these improvements at the 24-week follow-up
That’s pretty awesome.
However, the problem with implementing well-being practices are few and wide with many healthcare professionals struggling to make it an aspect when treating their patients and clients.
Being in clinics and hospitals myself I could see the difficulties that many professionals had when trying to provide patients with the best care that they knew how.
Healthcare Barriers
Unfortunately, there were so many barriers that seemed to get in the way of healthcare.
Barriers
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Lack of awareness by the health care providers
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Absence of interest
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Minimal education or knowledge
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Insufficient reimbursement
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Deficiency of resources
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Limited counseling skills
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Lack of self-efficacy
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More focus on treatment and managing complications
I knew many doctors and nurses who wanted to do more but were stuck. It seemed as if there was not enough time in the day to help everyone and everyone was found to have a wide array of issues but ultimately, all their conditions affected there “ holistic wellness.”
Thankfully more research is being directed towards healthier lifestyles including wellness and methods on how to achieve it.
As well, their seems to be a growth in “helping professionals” including coaching, counseling, medical arts and practices which is extremely encouraging.
That’s great…but I still don’t know what wellness IS? Ok, I hear ya. So, lets go in a little further and look at the 6 dimensions of holistic wellness.
6 Dimensions of Holistic Wellness
6 Steps To Holistic Health & Wellness
Wellness Dimensions
1. Occupational
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Recognizing personal satisfaction and enrichment in ones life through work.
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Contribute your unique gifts, skills and talents to work that is personally meaningful and rewarding.
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Choose a career that aligns with your personal value, interests and beliefs than selecting one that is unrewarding to you.
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Develop functional, transferrable skills through structured involvement opportunities rather than remain inactive and uninvolved.
2. Physical
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The need for physical activity.
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Learning about diet and nutrition.
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Avoiding tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol.
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Optimal wellness = Good exercise + Eating Habits.
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Spend time building physical strength, flexibility and endurance
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Includes medical self-care.
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Appreciating the relationship between sound nutrition and how you body performs.
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Physical benefits of looking and feeling good lead to enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction.
3. Social
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Contributing to your environment and community.
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Becoming aware of your importance in society and your impact on multiple environments.
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Actively encourage healthier living and better communication with those around you.
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Think of the common welfare of our community than to think only of yourself.
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Better to live harmoniasly with others than in conflict.
4. Intellectual
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Enjoying your own creative, stimulating mental activities
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Expand your knowledge and skills while also sharing what you have learned
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Use cultural activities, human resources, learning resources within school and the larger community.
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Explore problem solving.
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Spend time reading books, magazines, the news, while keeping abreast of current issues
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Stretch and continuously challenge your mind.
5. Spiritual
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Search for meaning and purpose in human existence.
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Development of deep appreciation for depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe.
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Your search will be characterized by internal personal feelings and emotions. And the rough patches of your life path.
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These are all important experience and components for your search into spirtuality.
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Better to ponder the meaning of life for yourself and be tolerant of the beliefs of others.
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Live each day consistent with your values and beliefs.
6. Emotional
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Be aware and accept your own feelings.
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Feel enthusiastic, positive about your self and life.
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Ability to manage your feelings, assess limitations, develop autonomy and cope effectively with stress.
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Maintain satisfying relationships with others.
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Accepts wide range of feelings in yourself and others.
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Express
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Arrive at personal decision basaed on feelings, thoughts, philosphies and behavior.
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Work independently as well as with others.
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Take responsibility for your actions.
By examining each individual dimension of holistic wellness, we can see how each one contributes to the happiness and wellness we all envision to have.
If we suffer in one dimension it affects us as a whole and creates an imbalance in our lives.A lot of us are so busy in our lives that we don’t really have the time to make ourselves a priority until it’s too late.
This is evident when observing many of the poor lifestyle choices that we make on a daily basis. Whether it’s not hitting the gym because we are too tired, grabbing some fast food because we didn’t have time to cook or working late hours and skimping on sleep it eventually catches up with us.
Nevertheless, studying the breadth of wellness provides ways to modify our behaviors to prevent illness and grow into healthier well-beings.
There are many holistic wellness tips that we can use in our daily lives that don’t require a huge adjustment:
Holistic Wellness Tips
Wellness Tips
A. Kitchen Tips
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Eat berries with breakfast– they’re disease preventative and a source of Vitamin C
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Have one green food per day– promotes mental wellness
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Drink a glass of water when you wake up– keeps you hydrated and regular
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Enjoy plain coffee or tea– healthy effects on longevity and cancer prevention
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Cook your own meals– include protein and veggies
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Use herbs instead of salt– many help in reducing blood pressure
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Ditch the sugary foods– sugar ages skin, messes with your digestion and make you moody and tired
B. Activity Tips
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Aim to get 20-30 mins of walking or jogging– helps to boost serotonin levels
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Lift something heavy for 5 mins everyday– boosts metabolism, testosterone, motivation, focus and energy
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Try to not sit so much– sitting too long makes you tired, increases brain fog and insulin levels, and slows down metabolism
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Practice active errands and commutes– take the stairs, park further away, walk to work etc
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Stretch during the day– keeps digesting working well and prevents muscle stagnation
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Spend some time outside– good for the brain, prevents depression and source of vit D
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Try yoga– lowers stress by reducing cortisol and stimulates lymphatic flow
C. Mind and Mood tips
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Eat for your hormone health– foods to consider avoiding are dairy, gluten, processed and sugar can tamper with you causing depression, anxiety and brain fog
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Do something you love every single day
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Enjoy magnesium rich foods– helps to de-stress and sleep
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Eat good fats
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Ditch negative self talk
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Take your B’s– Vitamin B3, B5, B6, B7 and B12 help to reduce stress and good for the mind
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More plant based foods– relieves depression, anxiety and promotes mental clarity
D. Lifestyle Tips
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Get social– spend time with family, friends or chatting with someone at the gym, park or office
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Learn to love sleep– enjoy 8-10 hours of sleep as it resets the mind and body and is necessary for longevity
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Become a minimalist– enjoy the little things again ie. walk in the park, prepare a simple meal, donate some clothes etc
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Try a new activity– builds new connections in the brain and prevents alzehimers
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Do something nice for someone– it’s a win-win!
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Bring energy into the room– positive cheerful vibes are contagioius
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Quiet the mind when you wake up– try mediatating, avoid going on any electronic devices as soon as you wake up
Therefore, when applying these key concepts, they can spark a sense of wholeness and contentment in your life like nothing before and really doesn’t take that much effort!
In conclusion, take the time out to work on yourself using the wellness dimensions and tips we have described and don’t be afraid to showcase your knowledge on what wellness TRULY is, rather than just the new buzzword!
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Hi I’m Dr. Naveen Gupta, physician-turned-type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and weight loss coach who helps you easily lower your blood sugars and lose weight by creating fun, happiness and amazing lifestyle you love! If you're interested in working together, email me at drnav@thelifestylecure.com to get started today!
