A Holistic Approach to Managing Your Mental, Emotional, and Physical Wellbeing
If you are looking for a way to balance your mental, emotional and physical well-being, then the holistic model of health could be your way forward! More often than not, it can be challenging to get our minds and body on the same side. In a world that is constantly changing, moving and evolving, it’s becoming even more important that we spend time on ourselves, and focus on our overall wellness journey. In this article, we will be looking at what the holistic approach is, what some of the practices are, and how we incorporate them into our daily routines.
What is The Holistic Model of Health?
The holistic approach refers to a ‘whole’ person approach when it comes to targeting their individual needs. For example, it’s about taking into account their mental, social and physical factors and addressing the direct root of a problem, not just the symptoms. It can be easy to put a plaster on an issue and distract yourself, whereas, with a Holistic approach, you are looking inwardly at yourself to fix issues. Holistic health is all about finding that intricate balance between physical wellness, mental well-being, emotional needs, and of course, your physical ones as well.
What is a ‘Holistic Approach’?
As holistic health care focuses on the health of the entire body and mind and not just singular parts of the body, holistic practices can be invaluable once added to your day-to-day routine. In a world that is often fast-paced, holistic health care can help you slow down, and realign both your mind and body, which can benefit your overall wellbeing and mental wellness. Some examples of holistic activities include:
- Meditation
- Gentle exercises, like yoga or pilates
- Breathwork
- Massage
Holistic Breathwork and Mindful Drinking
Holistic breathwork or ‘Holotropic’ breathing is a therapeutic practice that is intended to help with emotional healing and personal growth. Typically, this is taught by a professional, who has amassed many hours practising this rapid rate of breathing for minutes, or even possibly hours. Whilst we recommend seeking a professional in the field to advise on this type of breathwork, there are plenty of breathing techniques that you can do at home, which can also impact your mental wellbeing.
You can incorporate a routine breathing technique into your daily tea drinking ritual. When the kettle is boiling, try some ‘box breathing’, which means you will have to breathe in for 5 seconds, hold it for five seconds, then out for five seconds, and repeat! We recommend this paired with a calming blend, such as our Golden Milk Inviting Sleep Tea. This allows for the soothing feeling you have just created to carry on, even when you are sipping your wellness tea.
If you are more of a loose leaf tea drinker, then whilst you are straining your tea, you can also breathe whilst paying attention to the form of the leaves. Try looking at their forms, the shape of every leaf, and the aromas you smell. The holistic approach is all about being present and tying yourself to the moment. So take a second, and make the simple act of making or drinking a tea, one of peace and inward contemplation.
The Holistic Magic of Massage
A massage is a great approach for preparing the mind for concentrating awareness on an object, or the current moment. The holistic approach focuses on a wide range of therapeutic and hands-on practices, such as massage. Massage is used to encourage physical harmony between the mind and body, and allows you to reconnect with yourself at that moment. Our range of body oils are ideal to add to your massages. For example, our High Spirits Body Oil helps to energise and uplift both the body and mind, whilst simultaneously hydrating and nourishing your skin.
What is Holistic Meditation?
Mediation, and often yoga, are seen as holistic systems themselves as they require both the mind and body to work in unison, encompassing key elements such as breathing exercises, and physical poses or postures. Meditation is more accessible than ever nowadays, as there are so many apps present which can help us achieve serenity and calmness from the comfort of our own homes. This means that more and more people are using mediation as a way to handle daily stressors and anxieties.
The bath is one of the most popular places to centre oneself and practice mediation. Along with the calming emotional benefits of meditation alone, in the bath, you also have the relaxing heat, the soothing of your tired muscles, and the lull of the atmosphere. We would recommend pairing your next hot bath mediation session with bath oil, which promotes a feeling of calm, even after you get out of the bath. Our Inviting Sleep Bath & Shower Oil does just that. After adding a few drops to your bath and breathing in the scent during your meditation, this blend will deeply relax you, whilst also promoting a peaceful night’s sleep and nourishing the skin.
