"Since ultimately we can not be completely healthy until we achieve balance in our life, with others and in our environment, then perhaps the true definition of Holistic Health is achieving BALANCE Inside."
- Michelle Toole
Holistic Health
"Holistic Health is actually an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to achieve maximum well-being, where everything is functioning the very best that is possible. With Holistic Health people accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, and everyday choices are used to take charge of one’s own health."
Holistic concepts of health and lifestyle view achieving and maintaining good health as requiring more than just taking care of the various singular components that make up the physical body, by incorporating aspects such as emotional and spiritual well-being. The goal is a wellness that encompasses the entire person, rather than just the lack of physical pain or disease.
The real beauty of holistic health is that it is nothing new. If anything it in the most basic sense takes us back to our deepest roots and many have dedicated their lives and careers to proving the efficacy of working with the body as a whole. Even Hippocrates as both a philosopher and a practitioner of his time “tried to close the gaps between the understanding of disease and its treatment. He was quite essentially holistic when he insisted that it is natural for the human body to heal itself, and that this process can generally take place even without intervention from a doctor.”
Holistic concepts of health and lifestyle view achieving and maintaining good health as requiring more than just taking care of the various singular components that make up the physical body, by incorporating aspects such as emotional and spiritual well-being. The goal is a wellness that encompasses the entire person, rather than just the lack of physical pain or disease.
The real beauty of holistic health is that it is nothing new. If anything it in the most basic sense takes us back to our deepest roots and many have dedicated their lives and careers to proving the efficacy of working with the body as a whole. Even Hippocrates as both a philosopher and a practitioner of his time “tried to close the gaps between the understanding of disease and its treatment. He was quite essentially holistic when he insisted that it is natural for the human body to heal itself, and that this process can generally take place even without intervention from a doctor.”
History
"Ancient healing traditions, as far back as 5,000 years ago in India and China, stressed living a healthy way of life in harmony with nature. Socrates (4th century BC) warned against treating only one part of the body 'for the part can never be well unless the whole is well.” Although the term holism was introduced by Jan Christiaan Smuts in 1926 as a way of viewing living things as “entities greater than and different from the sum of their parts,' it wasn’t until the 1970s that holistic became a common adjective in our modern vocabulary.
Holistic concepts fell temporarily out of favor in Western societies during the 20th century. Scientific medical advances had created a dramatic shift in the concept of health. Germs were identified as outside sources causing disease. Gaining health became a process of killing microscopic invaders with synthesized drugs. People believed that they could get away with unhealthy lifestyle choices, and modern medicine would “fix” them as problems developed.
However, for some conditions medical cures have proven more harmful than the disease. In addition, many chronic conditions do not respond to scientific medical treatments. In looking for other options, people are turning back to the holistic approach to health and healing. The Holistic Health lifestyle is regaining popularity each year, as the holistic principles offer practical options to meet the growing desire for enjoying a high level of vitality and well-being.
Holistic concepts fell temporarily out of favor in Western societies during the 20th century. Scientific medical advances had created a dramatic shift in the concept of health. Germs were identified as outside sources causing disease. Gaining health became a process of killing microscopic invaders with synthesized drugs. People believed that they could get away with unhealthy lifestyle choices, and modern medicine would “fix” them as problems developed.
However, for some conditions medical cures have proven more harmful than the disease. In addition, many chronic conditions do not respond to scientific medical treatments. In looking for other options, people are turning back to the holistic approach to health and healing. The Holistic Health lifestyle is regaining popularity each year, as the holistic principles offer practical options to meet the growing desire for enjoying a high level of vitality and well-being.
Key Principles
Holistic Health is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of interdependent parts. The earth is made up of systems, such as air, land, water, plants and animals. If life is to be sustained, they cannot be separated, for what is happening to one is also felt by all of the other systems. In the same way, an individual is a whole made up of interdependent parts, which are the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. When one part is not working at its best, it impacts all of the other parts of that person. Furthermore, this whole person, including all of the parts, is constantly interacting with everything in the surrounding environment. For example, when an individual is anxious about a history exam or a job interview, his or her nervousness may result in a physical reaction–such as a headache or a stomach ache. When people suppress anger at a parent or a boss over a long period of time, they often develop a serious illness–such as migraine headaches, emphysema, or even arthritis.
The principles of Holistic Health state that health is more than just not being sick. A common explanation is to view wellness as a continuum along a line. The line represents all possible degrees of health. The far left end of the line represents premature death. On the far right end is the highest possible level of wellness or maximum well-being. The center point of the line represents a lack of apparent disease. This places all levels of illness on the left half of the wellness continuum. The right half shows that even when no illness seems to be present, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Holistic Health is an ongoing process. As a lifestyle, it includes a personal commitment to be moving toward the right end of the wellness continuum. No matter what their current status of health, people can improve their level of well-being. Even when there are temporary setbacks, movement is always headed toward wellness.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the key factors influencing an individual’s state of health have not changed significantly over the past 20 years. Quality of medical care is only 10%. Heredity accounts for 18% and environment is 19%. Everyday lifestyle choices are 53%. The decisions people make about their life and habits are, therefore, by far the largest factor in determining their state of wellness.
The most obvious choices people make each day is what they “consume”–both physically and mentally. The cells in a person’s body are constantly being replaced. New cells are built from what is available. Harmful substances or lack of needed building blocks in the body can result in imperfect cells, unable to do what is required to keep that person healthy. Similarly, on the non-physical level, a person’s mental attitudes are “built” from what they see and hear.
The majority of illnesses and premature death can be traced back to lifestyle choices. There are the well-known dangers connected with drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and unprotected sexual activity. Less recognized is the impact of excesses in things like sugar, caffeine, and negative attitudes. Combined with deficiencies in exercise, nutritious foods, and self-esteem, these gradually accumulate harmful effects. With time they diminish the quality of the “environment” within that human being, and can set the stage for illness to take hold. Quality of life, now and in the future, is actually being determined by a multitude of seemingly unimportant choices made everyday.
How Health & Wellness Coaching Makes a Difference
"The hallmark of integrative health coaching is working with the whole person, taking time to listen to the client’s concerns, asking powerful questions and using specialized skills to help motivate clients to achieve healthy lifestyle changes. Through a nonjudgmental coaching partnership, clients are empowered to reach their highest level of health. In addition, clients collaborate with their coach to identify obstacles to change and create strategies for forward movement. In the end, integrative health coaching inspires change by connecting people with a personalized health plan that supports their personal health vision, values and voice." - Janet Solie PA, MS, IHC
"While preventing illness is important, Holistic Health focuses on reaching higher levels of wellness. It invites people to constantly explore which everyday actions work for them and discover what is appropriate to move them toward maximum well-being. People are motivated by how good it feels to have lots of energy and enthusiasm for life, knowing that what they are doing that day will allow them to continue to feel this great for years to come.
When disease and chronic conditions do occur, the Holistic Health principles can also be applied. The term is usually changed to holistic medicine, and additional factors are added. The healthcare professionals using the holistic approach work in partnership with their patients. They recommend treatments that support the body’s natural healing system and consider the whole person and the whole situation.
A holistic approach to healing goes beyond just eliminating symptoms. For example, taking an aspirin for a headache would be like disconnecting the oil light on the dash of a car when it flashes. The irritation is eliminated, but the real problem still exists. In holistic medicine, a symptom is considered a message that something needs attention. So, the symptom is used as a guide to look below the surface for the root cause. Then what really needs attention can be addressed."
Through my personal experience and education, you will receive knowledge and skills that are the nuts and bolts of your individual wellness lifestyle plan. These plans will provide you with the tools and confidence to take an active role in your health and wellness. And integrate these simple steps into your daily life to achieve optimal health and an overall way better quality of life!
As we work together, you will feel well equipped to know how to make the right purchasing decisions when buying healthier options at the grocery store, how to take the next steps in living a clean, organic lifestyle, and feel inspired to personally develop and grow by beginning from within. Your individualized wellness lifestyle plan will be unique to your personal vision, lifestyle, current state, budget, and values of desired health. Then, together I guide you through a systematized, optimal health plan for your truly richer life in body, mind and spirit.
"While preventing illness is important, Holistic Health focuses on reaching higher levels of wellness. It invites people to constantly explore which everyday actions work for them and discover what is appropriate to move them toward maximum well-being. People are motivated by how good it feels to have lots of energy and enthusiasm for life, knowing that what they are doing that day will allow them to continue to feel this great for years to come.
When disease and chronic conditions do occur, the Holistic Health principles can also be applied. The term is usually changed to holistic medicine, and additional factors are added. The healthcare professionals using the holistic approach work in partnership with their patients. They recommend treatments that support the body’s natural healing system and consider the whole person and the whole situation.
A holistic approach to healing goes beyond just eliminating symptoms. For example, taking an aspirin for a headache would be like disconnecting the oil light on the dash of a car when it flashes. The irritation is eliminated, but the real problem still exists. In holistic medicine, a symptom is considered a message that something needs attention. So, the symptom is used as a guide to look below the surface for the root cause. Then what really needs attention can be addressed."
Through my personal experience and education, you will receive knowledge and skills that are the nuts and bolts of your individual wellness lifestyle plan. These plans will provide you with the tools and confidence to take an active role in your health and wellness. And integrate these simple steps into your daily life to achieve optimal health and an overall way better quality of life!
As we work together, you will feel well equipped to know how to make the right purchasing decisions when buying healthier options at the grocery store, how to take the next steps in living a clean, organic lifestyle, and feel inspired to personally develop and grow by beginning from within. Your individualized wellness lifestyle plan will be unique to your personal vision, lifestyle, current state, budget, and values of desired health. Then, together I guide you through a systematized, optimal health plan for your truly richer life in body, mind and spirit.
Source:Holistic Health
by Suzan Walter, MBA
From the “Holistic Health” chapter from the critically acclaimed book, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines, published by The Rosen Publishing Group in 1999 and presented on the American Holistic Health Association with permission. Material was written by AHHA President, Suzan Walter.
Via American College of Healthcare Sciences
[1] http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc/strategy/report.html
[2] http://newhope360.com/research/tough-recipe-6-growth-0?page=2
[3] *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition, Healthcare, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm. National long-term projections may