Whole person health requires an holistic approach – sounds obvious, doesn’t it?! Unfortunately, our society separates support into categories, giving us either the Medical Model of mental health treatment, or the Social Model of mental health care. By deliniating mental health, physical health and spiritual health holistic care is impossible. Poor communication between specialist carers means that diet, lifestyle and physical symptoms are often not reviewed together by the same person. This does not serve us well.
It doesn’t matter what school of thought or science, political or religious persuasion you may adhere to, these days it is pretty well universally accepted that as human beings we are not one dimensional and that we are more than just our thoughts or just our bodies but that rather, we are a combination of body, mind and spirit (or soul) and that these aspects of self are linked in ways we may not always fully understand but that we cannot deny either.
When we talk about someone having anxiety for example, we include the simultaneous symptoms of ‘worrying thoughts’ and ‘a feeling of panic with ‘tension in the body’ or ‘an accelerated heart rate’ or even ‘a sick feeling in the tummy.’ And when we discuss depression, as another example, we describe symptoms like ‘intrusive thoughts’, ‘low mood’ and ‘ a loss of appetite’ all coexisting.
So if matters pertaining to the disruption of good health and well-being don’t separate the body, mind and spirit/soul then, in my opinion, neither should the treatment we seek and engage to address these matters and better our health and well-being. Afterall, whole person health requires an holistic approach.
There are many lifestyle factors that contribute to our overall ‘good’ or ‘optimal’ health; restorative sleep, a nutrient-dense diet, mindful movement of our body, long and deep breaths – all of these things have long been attributed to better health and are prescribed by many practitioners as part of any mental OR general health plan. The good news too is that all of these things are generally well within our control and come down to the choices we make, daily choices and small changes daily that result in overall better health over time.
When the body and mind rest well, move well and are fed and hydrated well they stand the best possible chance of recovery and healing as well as the best chance for optimal health and wellbeing generally.
So no matter our issue, ailment or goal, addressing ourselves as a whole and attending to each part of that whole as required is something we can all do if better health is something that’s important to us – and why wouldn’t it be. Don’t we all just want to be healthy and happy? I believe that we do and also, that we can be.
Anyetta X Southwell is a guest blogger for Ebb and Flow Counselling. Founder/Owner/Director at Core & Soul Wellness: Pilates-Nutrition-Breath, she says of herself:
I am an energetic and vibrant 46 year old woman who not only believes in an holistic approach to health but a personalised and preventative one also. With almost 20 years in the health and wellness industry I have an extensive background working with a variety of people from many diverse walks of life. Working in and around Australia as well as overseas as a Nutrition Coach, Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Gym Manager I have seen hundreds of people change their whole lives both significantly and positively through achieving optimal health and wellness working with me and this inspires me to continue to assist many more to do the same.
You can find Anyetta here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573098981136
And contact her here: coreandsoulwellness@gmail.com
