For those not familiar with holistic healthcare, it’s easy to be a little confused about what it means. Ultimately, the goal of a holistic health approach is to focus on the whole person, rather than just on individual symptoms or illnesses. Holistic healthcare is meant to incorporate the mind, body, and spirit into your wellness routine, and it often includes homeopathic remedies, different types of therapy and mental health treatment, and other alternative medicine in addition to more traditional, Western practices. If you’re interested in changing up your health routine and transitioning to a more holistic approach, read on to learn more about what holistic healthcare entails and how it can work for you.
What is holistic healthcare?
Holistic healthcare takes a “whole body” approach to wellness, meaning that those who practice it believe that care has to include all parts of the body, including the mind and the spirit. While most practitioners of holistic healthcare don’t exclude Western medicine entirely, they do believe in using other alternative types of therapies and treatments as well. Some disciplines that are often included in holistic care include chiropractic care, herbalism (including supplements), therapy, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, physical therapy, and nutrition. The idea behind holistic healthcare is that by caring for your entire body, and including addressing issues like nutrition, digestive health, and mental health, you’ll feel better overall and improve your quality of life.
A more holistic view of healthcare also includes caring for your mental health. It’s easier than ever to find a therapist online, like this therapist in Washington DC that offers teletherapy, enabling them to give patients all over the country access to their services. While you might be anxious about working with a therapist, many people find that talking to one even just once every few months has a noticeably beneficial effect on their mental health. While traditional therapy, where you’re in the room with your therapist, is considered standard, it’s often easier and more affordable to try teletherapy. If you’re new to therapeutic care, it can be less overwhelming to have a visit with your therapist virtually.
How can I adopt a more holistic wellness routine?
The first step to changing your routine is to think about what issues you’d like to address. What symptoms have been causing you trouble that you want to get rid of? If you have digestive symptoms, you’ll need different treatment options than for stubborn chronic pain. Mental health should also be a part of any holistic care regimen, whether that includes working with a therapist or incorporating practices that address the mind like meditation into your routine. Physical fitness and nutrition should also be a part of your wellness plan. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also aid with digestion and help make sure your body has the nutrients and vitamins it needs.
Digestive health is one area that’s often overlooked, despite the fact that it’s essential to our daily functions. Your digestive health can affect many different parts of your body, including your immune system, so addressing any potential problems like inflammation, constipation, and other digestive issues sooner rather than later is important. Digestive issues can be a sign of many other more serious illnesses and can cause digestive disorders like leaky gut syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Even if you haven’t had digestive problems before, a leaky gut supplement can be a smart addition to your routine in order to promote gut health. Supplements can address common gut health issues like glutamine deficiency and the healing of damaged epithelial tissue, which can harm the digestive tract. Probiotics are useful for making sure you have good bacteria in your digestive system. Always consult your doctor before ingesting a new supplement.
While traditional Western medicine is important, many people still find themselves with lingering health problems, both mental and physical, when relying on it exclusively. Looking at a broader range of treatments, including focusing on the mind as much as the body, can provide noticeable benefits and improved quality of life. Caring for your mental health is an essential part of taking care of yourself in a holistic way, so don’t be afraid to seek out a therapist. If you find yourself unsatisfied with your current healthcare routine and want to improve your personal wellness, consider doing some research on holistic healthcare, and talk to an expert about figuring out what types of holistic practices might work for you.
