Five Shortcuts for Better Health Holistically

Welcome to the latest edition of Unlocking Your Greatness with Wendy Bjork. As an international bestselling author, inspirational speaker and guide to others, as well as founder of heartsofwellness.com, my mission is empowering others to find clarity, peace and fulfillment by embracing simplicity.

Taking control of your health holistically is a common-sense approach to achieving wellness. It focuses on integrating natural methods of healing before resorting to surgery or drugs and emphasizes the importance of the mind and body connection. It also encourages people to make healthy lifestyle changes, which can help prevent illness. Those who take charge of their health holistically tend to have better health outcomes than those who don’t. As with anything worth achieving, progress takes time and commitment. In taking small steps, you avoid overwhelm which causes many people to give up.

While this may seem like a lot to consider and balance, it is entirely doable with the right habits in place. To get started, here are five ways to take charge of your health holistically:

1. Exercise regularly and eat well.

Holistic health is based on the belief that physical fitness and good nutrition are crucial for maintaining optimal health. It is also a great way to reduce stress and improve sleep, both of which are essential for mental stability and overall well-being.

Whether you are into yoga or hip-hop dancing, exercise can be the perfect way to connect with your mind and body. It is important to find an activity that you enjoy and will allow you to relax and relieve stress. In addition to physical activity, incorporating relaxation practices like meditation and deep breathing into your routine can be excellent ways to maintain a holistic lifestyle. Start with one baby step of getting up from your chair once per hour and do a big stretch to straighten out your body. Do a few squats, toe touches or planks.

2. Keep a food and activity journal.

Keeping a food and activity journal is a simple way to monitor the impact of various factors on your mental, emotional and physical well-being. This allows you to see what is helping you feel your best and what is not. This information can then be used to change your habits to incorporate more of the things that are beneficial and eliminate those that are not. Take one baby step of replacing that diet soda for your afternoon pick-me-up for a glass of water with a slice of organic lemon.

3. Practice positive thinking and meditation.

Positive thinking and meditation are important components of a holistic lifestyle because they help to improve mental stability and well-being. It is important to practice these techniques on a daily basis in order to reap the benefits. In addition, it is vital to get enough sleep each night, which can be difficult for some people. These are long term goals. Your baby step is setting an alarm 30 minutes before you want to be in bed and begin your end of day activities. Put your phone/tablet/computer in sleep mode until morning. Think of 3 things you are grateful from the day, so your mind has something good to dwell on as you fall asleep.

4. Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.

Oftentimes, when people are experiencing health issues, they tend to focus on treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. However, when it comes to holistic health, the mental and emotional well-being of an individual is just as important as their physical health. This is why it is important to prioritize your well-being and seek out resources if necessary. Your baby step is to get outside each day and appreciate nature. Even if it’s for just a few minutes. Keep expanding your nature time to include a walk to clear your thoughts. Build a support circle for accountability.

5. Work with your employer to promote holistic health and wellness in the workplace. 

Employers can play an important role in promoting holistic health and wellness at the workplace by providing access to counseling, creating a supportive work environment, and encouraging employees to make healthy lifestyle choices inside and outside of work. This can lead to increased employee engagement and productivity, as well as lower absenteeism and turnover rates. By making holistic health and wellness a priority in the workplace, companies can be more competitive in the workforce. One baby step is start being the example. Ask your employer for additional mini chair yoga breaks at your desk, uplifting ways for starting your work day and even team building activities outside of the workplace.

When people see you taking steps to create better health choices, they might not jump on board instantly. However, when they see the changes over time, the happiness and peace you feel when you’re in charge of your health, they will ask what you’re doing differently!

If you want to live your best life, taking control of your health is a crucial step in order to move forward.  Feel free to send a message at media@heartsofwellness.com if there is other support in living your best life I can offer. Discovering and living by your personalized playbook are important steps we can create together!

Studies show wearing expressive apparel assists you in your progress to positivity ~ check out the Lighthouse Loft Swag shop for uplifting, high vibe gear!