I’m going to be exploring the concept of holistic health and why it's essential to treat the whole person. Now, before I lose anyone, I really want to encourage you to read this blog post in full, even if you think that holistic health is a bit of a woo-woo topic, because I will share some great info and some studies related to this as well, so please listen with an open mind!
There are three parts of you that are working to create the person you are today: your mind, your body, and your soul.
I work with clients, like yourself, to adopt a holistic approach and address all three areas, leading to a complete whole-body experience of life - envision the happiest, healthiest, and most purposeful version of yourself and that is possible when you are working with all three parts of you.
Regular coaching and counselling is incredibly beneficial (I did it for many years and think it's beyond powerful), but that is really only looking at the mind part of us, when you approach this journey with the mind, body and soul parts, you will be able to dive deeper, heal deeper and in return, experience love, presence, joy and peace deeper too.
This approach recognizes that each part of us is interconnected and interdependent, and if we were to neglect one area then it’s really going to have an adverse effect on the others, so with this said, it is so incredibly important to make sure that all aspects of us are balanced.
In this episode, we will be discussing the benefits of prioritizing holistic health which again is our mind, body and soul, how taking care of the whole person is crucial for our mental health and wellbeing as well as some studies backing all of this and of course, discussing what the hell all of this even means haha. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let's dive in!
So let’s talk about the three aspects separately to start off with.
First, the mind.
The mind is the part of us that encompasses our cognitive and emotional well-being. It includes our conscious and unconscious thoughts, our beliefs, values, and emotions. Our mind influences our perception of the world and how we respond to different situations, which can have a huge effect on our behavior and overall mental health.
Our thoughts and beliefs are often the driving force behind our actions, and negative or unhealthy thoughts can lead to negative behaviors that will absolutely impact our mental health. So for example, if someone has thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do this,” that’s going to lead to a lack of confidence and self-esteem and on the other hand, positive and healthy thoughts can lead to better self-confidence, motivation, and improved mental health.
Emotions are also, of course, an important part of the mind. They directly influence how we behave and think. Negative emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fear, can be do damage to our mental health. Still, positive emotions, like happiness, joy, and contentment, can boost our mental health and well-being.
Now let’s talk about our body. I could really be here all day with all of these but I’m trying to keep the episode short and sweet for you haha.
The physical body is the tangible part of our being. As we all know, our body has lots of different organs, systems, and functions that need proper care and attention to function at their best. Again, I could be here all day but some of the things that are included when working with the body aspect of us are our diets, our movement, our sleep, our nervous system regulation, and our overall physical health so things like regular check ups with the doctor, maybe seeing the dentist, those kinds of things.
And the last aspect of us is our soul or spiritual part.
It refers to the innermost aspect of our being, beyond the physical and mental aspects of ourselves.
Our soul includes our purpose, values, beliefs, and outlook on life. It is what gives us meaning and direction in life, and it influences our actions and decisions. When our soul is healthy and nurtured, we feel fulfilled, content, and in alignment with our highest potential.
I will also mention here that this can also be connecting to a higher power or purpose (whether that is God, The Universe, your Higher Self or whatever else feels good to you – or maybe you’re not sure about a higher power and that’s okay too).
When we’re wanting to work from a whole-body approach, which honestly, we should all be working with the whole-body, you’ll find that the mind, body, and soul are interconnected and cannot be separated from one another.
Neglecting one area can affect the others and disrupt our overall sense of wellbeing. For example, if we were to neglect our mental health that can very easily and often does lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and heart issues. And on the flip side, if we neglect our physical health, that can impact our mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to depression, low self-esteem, and stress. Neglecting our soul or spiritual health can lead to feelings of disconnection, a lack of purpose so you may not have any idea where you’re going or what you want from life and not knowing who you are at the core.
We really need to prioritise all three areas of our life. We can not just focus on one area of ourselves. When we prioritize our whole being, which again is our mind, body and soul, we experience physical, mental, and emotional benefits that can positively impact all areas of our lives. For instance, engaging in regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can boost our energy levels, improve our physical health, and reduce our stress levels. Practicing mindfulness and working with a counsellor or coach can improve our mental health and improve our relationships with others. When doing soul work such as gratitude, meditation, and community service you may feel feelings of purpose, connection, and joy.
I really hope I’ve been able to explain all of this well enough for you haha.
Taking care of our whole-body, has so many amazing benefits and I wanted to share my favourite with you, along with some evidence because we all love a bit of proof.
The first benefit is improved physical health, which I think we all know is important and has so many additional benefits, but honestly, a lot of us don’t actually prioritise our body part, which means we’re lacking here. Several studies have shown that regularly moving our body, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep benefits our physical health. Now I’m sure we all know this, but I will mention that a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, healthy diet, and not smoking, could reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The second benefit is improved mental health: There have been a heap of studies have found that working with the mind and practicing self-care, meditation, and therapy can improve mental health. For example, a systematic review of studies published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that mindfulness-based interventions could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
The third benefit is better relationships: Research has shown that actively taking care of emotional health, which again is the mind part, and practicing things such as empathy and forgiveness, can improve relationships. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who practiced empathy and forgiveness experienced more positive emotions and better relationships.
And the fourth, and probably my favourite benefit is having a sense of purpose: when we do things that cultivate a sense of purpose, which is really our soul-work, it is going improve mental health. A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research in 2016 found that individuals who reported having a strong sense of purpose had better mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression and anxiety. The researchers also found that purpose in life helped to buffer against the negative effects of stress on mental health.
To end the blog post, I wanted to give you a couple of suggestions for each part of us, as always, take what you want, leave what you don’t, I only ask that you please make sure you are working and prioritising all three parts of you.
Some ideas to work for your mind are:
Meditation, breathing exercises, mindfulness practices
Reading, journaling, or other mentally stimulating activities
Counselling or coaching
Gratitude practice or positive affirmations
Some ideas to work for your body are:
Regular movement and exercise
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
Having enough quality sleep and rest
Getting check-ups and health screenings
And to work with your soul, you can
Engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, such as having a hobby
Connecting with nature, through walks or spending time outdoors
Volunteering or helping others in our community
Engaging in spiritual or religious practices that align with our beliefs
So, now you know why it’s important we work from a holistic point of view and include all three parts of our whole-being, mind, body and soul, you’ve got some evidence to back it all up and a few suggestions for each part. If you’re wanting to dive deeper with any of this and want to start to work with your mind, body and soul, I’d love to chat.
With love & support,
Shorina | Mindful Soul Collective
Counsellor & Wellbeing Coach