Good health isn’t just about taking vitamins and getting enough sleep. That — and other good personal care habits — is part of the equation, but it isn’t always the whole thing. There’s a buzz-word these days: holistic medicine. It comes from the Greek word for whole, or multi-dimensional. The idea behind holism goes back to ancient civilizations in Egypt and Greece; you need to nurture the mind, body, and spirit, not just treat symptoms as they appear.
Here are five things you can do that are good for your whole self: mind, body, and spirit.
- Take your time in preparing and eating your meals. Enjoy the process, start to finish. Don’t rush, don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. Some of my favorite meals have been both prepared and enjoyed in the company of good friends. Cooking isn’t a chore if your friends and family get involved.
- Take a sun bath! Your body needs the vitamin D that sunlight produces in your skin. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from a burn; avoid the strongest sun hours (10am to 2pm). Up to an hour of sunlight and fresh air every day will help boost your spirits and keep your body healthy.
- Make time for complete breathing. This is a simple yoga technique that helps your lungs work more efficiently. Lie with your arms at your sides on a rug on the floor or ground, or on a firm mat. Close your eyes. Inhale slowly through your nose, expanding your abdomen and rib cage. Hold for a moment, then exhale slowly. Repeat, but this time as you breathe in, lift your arms slowly over your head — by the time you have fully inhaled, the backs of your hands should be touching the floor. Hold for a moment and enjoy the stretch. As you exhale, slowly bring your arms back down to your side.
- Deal with negative feelings. Bottling things up can lead to both mental and physical problems. Don’t take your feelings out on family and friends; get the negativity out! Go someplace quiet and scream, or yell into a pillow. Try some vigorous exercise — like sprinting or beating on a pillow — to help release the negative energy.
- Do self-indulgent things. Take an aromatherapy bath, treat yourself to a massage, enjoy a good book, or listen to your favorite music. Doing things that make you feel good can help you mentally and physically!