From the Oxford Dictionary, “holistic” is a philosophy “characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.” In the world of health and wellness, the holistic approach is care that incorporates the whole person; body, mind, and soul. In this stressful post-modern era, we actually increase our discomfort and unhappiness when we try to isolate singular issues or symptoms apart from the bigger picture. This can often lead to depression and anxiety.
The next time you have an upset stomach or if you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, trace back the last 24 hours of your life and ask: what have I done (or not done), what have I eaten, where did I eat that, why did I eat it, what mood was I in, what were my thoughts then and now, and how do I feel (bloated, tired, lethargic, nauseous, itchy, hot/cold, etc)?
Holistic Me, ever EVOLVing…
I love Mac-N-Cheese. But, I love Mac-N-Cheese for all the wrong reasons. M-N-C is my go to food when I feel unaccomplished or stuck in a social rut. When I eat M-N-C I’m already depressed and the good feeling of warm salty cheese in my belly ultimately makes me crave something sweet. So then, I must have ice cream or cookies. The carbs and the sugar give me a great high in the moment but then are followed by a harsh crash and feelings of lethargy. I never go to the gym on M-N-C nights and because I don’t go to the gym, all the good creaminess of the cheese and ice cream make me feel bloated and even more down the next day.
The change I’ve made to counteract my low self-esteem days and improve the balance of my body-mind-spirit: go to the gym and lift weights (feel strong), take a long hot steam and sweat (feel relaxed and get a great glow), make a plan to accomplish a small goal to reach a higher level (I can do that!), share my feelings with a trusted friend or confidant or even write in a journal, and finally… avoid that high calorie, high fat, delicious yellow pasta.
With love and kindness,
Coach T.
3136evolve 