|
|
| Holistic Health -
integrating body, mind, spirit, and much more...
Health is more than the absence of disease...
Health is:
- an optimal sense of wellness achieved by balance of mind,body, and soul
- promoting our innate healing ability
- taking responsibility for one's own well-being and healing
- taking responsibility for the well-being of others and the planet
| | Holistic Visions of Health:
- Optimal health
- Healing power of love
- Focus on the whole person
- Prevention
- Innate healing power
- Integration
- Relationship centered
- Individuality
- Teaching by example
* principles of the
American Holistic Medical Association
| |
| The following is taken from a booklet published by the American Holistic Health Association Wellness From Within: The First Step - Sandra Caton Your health is your responsibility. You are the only one who can contribute to your well-being.
You are the one that must take the steps to wellness.
Only you have the power to create wellness for yourself.Your power lies in the choices you make every day on your own behalf... - Strive to balance and integrate your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self
- Establish respectful, cooperative relationships with your family, friends, and co-workers
- Gather information and make well-informed wellness-oriented choices
- Actively participate in your health decisions and healing process
Your Wellness Team & What it Needs:
Physical You - your body, your senses
NEEDS: good nutrition, appropriate weight, beneficial exercise and rest
Emotional You - your feelings
NEEDS: joyful relationship with self and others, to give and receive forgiveness, love, and compassion; and experience happiness
Mental You - your thoughts, beliefs
NEEDS: self-supportive attitudes, positive thoughts, and openness
Spiritual You - your soul/spirit
NEEDS: inner calmness, openness to your creativity, gratitude
All these aspects work together to make you a whole person
Wellness Quiz
Do you wake up with enthusiasm for the day ahead?
Do you have the high energy you need to do what you want?
Do you laugh easily and often, especially at yourself?
Do you confidently find solutions for the challenges in your life?
Do you feel valued and appreciated?
Do you appreciate others and let them know it?
Do you have a circle of warm, caring friends?
Do the choices you make every day get you what you want?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, congratulations, you can make some awesome changes.
To enhance your health you must be aware of yourself:
+ Be aware of your body -
what makes it feel good and how does it communicate to you?
+ Be aware of your emotions -
what people or activities cause you to feel joy and happiness, how about anger, fear, and depression?
+ Be aware of your thoughts -
which thoughts make you smile and feel good, which make your muscles tighten?
+ Be aware of your spiritual condition -
what causes you to feel inner peace and are you aware of the intuitive thoughts which guide your highest good?
Specific Things YOU CAN DO:
Physical -
- Eat fresh, wholesome food. Avoid or limit sugar, salt and fatty foods. Eat vegetables, fruit, and whole grains as much as possible.
- Drink lots of pure water.
- Take time for enjoyable exercise.
- Get adequate rest.
Emotional -
- Laugh, play and have fun often.
- Share your feelings with others. Spend time with people you care about.
- Create warm, loving relationships. Forgive yourself and others.
Mental -
- Explore new ideas. Find a hobby, take a class, read a nonfiction book.
- Cultivate positive attitudes. Instead of criticizing, catch yourself.
- Examine your beliefs. Listen to other points of view and be open.
Spiritual -
- Take time to be quiet with yourself. Meditate, pray, or go fishing.
- Be open to your creativity.
- Savor the moment. Enjoy what your are doing now.
Be a participant - Not a spectator
No one's life is perfect.
We all have difficult situations,
hard times, and loses.
Know that you have a choice in how
you respond in a given situation!
Be patient with yourself...creating wellness is an ongoing journey.
Ways to go about changing:
+ Practice a beneficial activity more frequently
+ Launch a new activity which is beneficial
+ Replace an unhealthy choice with a beneficial one
+ Eliminate a harmful choice
+ Reduce harmful practices gradually
Most Importantly - Celebrate every incremental step!
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is the leading national resource connecting people with vital solutions for reaching a higher level of wellness. http://ahha.org
| |
|