Recently, I’ve been exploring the concept of health and advocating for a much broader meaning. As defined originally by the World Health Organization (WHO):
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In 1986, the WHO made further clarifications: “Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.” This means that health is a resource to support an individual’s function in wider society, rather than an end in itself. A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose. (source)
Obtaining health results from a complex interaction of several aspects. This is why I feel that wellness is a better aim, as it incorporates physical, social, spiritual, environmental, economic, genetic, and behavioral factors. It also advocates for prevention through lifestyle choices.
Unfortunately, modern medicine in the United States has done a miserable job at promoting health, though having the best of intentions. The focus has mostly been on suppressing symptoms and on fighting fear-provoking diseases. Healthcare has done little to address patient empowerment through lifestyle interventions for optimizing physical, social, and personal areas of functioning.
A whole person approach that integrates the mind, body, spirit, and promotes social connections, is more likely to allow one to achieve their own personalized health goals and live a happier, more vibrant life with loved ones. Furthermore, by keeping people well in the first place, our healthcare system could benefit. By preventing, or at least dampening, the many diseases we are “at war” against we could save a lot on medical care costs as we improve human quality of life, not just lengthen lifespan.
At the very least, the wellness philosophy can enhance resiliency to handle additional stressors and move through them with more ease. This, in itself, is very impactful for well-being.
Resources for Holistic Health & Wellness
In a previous post, I provided techniques and resources that discussed enhancing wellness through various methods. These included:
- implementing a holistic health framework consisting of relationships, engagement, vitality, accomplishment, meaning, and positive emotions
- using joyful movement to nurture the mind and improve brain health
- applying EFT and HeartMath for emotional and social wellbeing
I also highlighted how staying healthy in one’s body is not about body size or body shaming; rather, it is about nourishing and nurturing it.
In my latest article, I focus a bit more on preventative lifestyle medicine.
Besides promoting health, we also do well to avoid what can rob us of well-being. This starts with knowledge and learning about the environment that surrounds us
Specifically, I focus on how to avoid unnecessary and ubiquitous chemicals in our foods, personal care products, household cleaners, and water.
Someone can have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, and even a balanced mind-body, but if they are bombarded with chemicals and toxins, it can negatively affect them. I find in my practice that these are the clients that have lingering symptoms and many doctors haven’t considered their environment may be contributing to them.
Topics covered in my recent blog include:
- How one can live a non-toxic life using a Health at Every Size Perspective (HAES) and not succumb to body obsession and diet culture
- Nourishing the Body with Clean, Nutrient Dense Foods
- Cleaning Yourself and Your Home with Safe Substances
- Obtaining High Quality Water for Cellular and Whole-Body Rejuvenation
- Taking This All One Step at a Time
Click here to read more.
I know it is easy to get overwhelmed, so it is important to go slowly and aim for imperfection! Doing something is better than doing nothing to reduce one’s total toxic burden!
Feel free to bookmark my article so you can get started living greener and healthier now. You can then come back to it as you apply one thing at a time.
I hope you can use this information to support your emotional and physical well-being, make your home and the environment safer, and to nourish your important relationships.
Please feel free to share this post and comment below.
Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Resources
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This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)
