10 Definitive Steps to Total Wellness

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Once upon a time, health was commonly defined as merely the absence of disease. In fact, in many parts of the world today, many health professionals still practice through this outdated and antiquated paradigm. The dominant healthcare culture tends to view the body as a machine, capable of black and white states of health and illness.

This approach can be helpful if you have a condition that is quantifiable and measurable. (Think, for example, of infections, trauma and critical disease.) However, the issue is that this view of health doesn’t account for other factors that also affect our health in an indirect, unquantifiable way, such as sleep quality, stress, diet and emotional well-being. 

Besides, ‘the absence of disease’ seems like a rather depressing definition of health, doesn’t it? Alternatively, I believe that true health involves a much more holistic picture; certainly an absence of disease, yes. But what about vitality? Energy? Happiness and contentment? A body that serves you for many long years at optimal capacity? 

I’ve highlighted ten areas below that I personally believe helps us reach true health, in a broader definition of the word. I.e. total wellness for your body, mind and soul!

1. Cleanse and Detox

Even if your diet is clean and nutritious, our bodies need some extra TLC to keep them running in optimal condition. Stress, sleep deprivation and environmental toxins also place an unnatural strain on our bodies that requires extra healing and support. 

A yearly (or more) detox and cleanse is the spring clean that your body needs to clear built up toxins and return to its natural state of wellness. We believe it’s hard to feel deeply, vibrantly and truly healthy without making detoxes a priority in your wellness plan. 

2. Use Food As Medicine

In the perfect world, we would eat fresh, organic produce at the peak of its nutritional quality straight from the garden. Our food would be zinging with goodness and healthy eating would be effortless. 

Sadly, the state of our modern foods is a far cry from this idyllic picture. Soil depletion, food transportation and a corrupt food industry have combined to make our foods a lot less nutritious than they used to be. In fact, many chronic diseases that millions of people suffer from today, are caused by poor diet.

Food has been used as medicine for as long as humans have existed. To find wellness, first rediscover what is means to prevent and truly heal from the common cold, to chronic diseases through the power of nutrition. 

So to embody the power of food, tap into fresh food, seaweeds, nuts, superfoods, medicinal herbs, and whole living foods.

3. Heal and Nurture Your Gut

Good gut health is truly at the foundation of vitality and wellness. Your body irrevocably relies on the gut to transport nutrients from your food and into the body. This is ultimately how we get the fuel and nutrients we need to thrive - our body only has a finite supply in storage before it needs to top up!

Your gut can also lie at the heart of many health issues. IBS, bloating and disordered bowel habits are the uncomfortable symptoms of a sluggish gut. Worse yet, increasing research suggests that leaky gut may even suppress your immune system and lead to more serious autoimmune disorders.

You may have the healthiest diet in the world, but the quality of your food - and your health - is really only as good as your gut!

4. Reduce Stress and Addressing Suppressed Emotions 

Think back to the last time you had a really scary nightmare. Did you wake up in a cold sweat, heart racing and limbs shaking? Chances are your blood pressure and cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone) would have skyrocketed, as your body initiated the ‘fight or flight’ response.

A simple nightmare demonstrates the profound power that stress has on our physical bodies. What happens in our minds might not be real, yet it exerts a very real effect on our health. 

Over prolonged time, stress can lead to chronic inflammation, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and weight issues. It suppresses the immune systems, clouds our thought, reduces our productivity and casts a big black shadow over our lives.  

Thankfully, yoga, meditation, visualization, regular rest, work/life balance and stress reducing techniques counteract stress and create deeper health. 

5. Find Your Life Purpose

Imagine this.... You have a physically well body but you absolutely hate your job. You detest going to the office each day. Every night before work, you feel a sense of dread as you envision trying to slog through another 9 to 5.

It’s hard to imagine vitality in this scenario, isn’t it? No matter how well your body is, your mind has to come along for the party if you want a genuine sparkle in your step. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, all humans have an innate yearning for self-actualization once their physical needs are fulfilled. 

So go for it! Finding a purpose - professional or otherwise - in life will fill you with a deep pride and contentment. It will energize you before you even reach for your green smoothie.

6. Nurture Your Mind 

If happiness and fulfillment is an important piece in the puzzle of true health, depression and anxiety are the ultimate antithesis. 

Few things suck your body’s energy like stress and sadness do. Your mental faculties are overloaded (no room for happy, self-actualizing thoughts there) and your sleep, work, and personal relationships suffer.

Whilst our bodies were engineered to equip with short, intense periods of stress (such as running from danger), our systems cannot cope with this constant state. Stress suppresses immunity, interferes with digestion, decreases sex drive, causes chronic inflammation and sucks vitality from you quick-smart. 

Spend more time in nature, get plenty of rest and quality sleep, exercise regularly, try relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga, use essential oils to calm the mind, seek professional help, and incorporate more of these foods to help boost your mood. All of these tips can offer profound mental health benefits!

For more ways to overcome depression naturally, click here.

7. Prevent Your Risk Of Cancer

One third of the most common cancers can be prevented via diet and lifestyle changes. That’s a lot of unnecessary heartache and suffering! Doing all we can to look after our bodies doesn’t just help us to thrive each day, but it provides the foundation for a long, healthy and happy life. 

Simple things such as increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables, and reducing processed foods is a great starting point! Limiting smoked, processed meats and highly refined carbohydrates helps too. Keeping active and quitting smoking are also crucial! 

8. Healing From Past Trauma & Limiting Beliefs

You may be surprised to hear that your mind actually has an innate capability to to heal your body. But that means your mind must also be healthy. 

The first step is recognizing that there may be thought patterns and beliefs you have that are holding you back, and that weren't intended to be there in the first place. The world around us can have that effect, and unfortunately, many of those thoughts lead to self-sabotage. 

Thankfully, there are many techniques that help uncover these roadblocks and heal from whatever brought them about in the first place, so you can get rid of them for good! Finding healing from past traumas, and getting rid of those limiting beliefs that come along with them, will set you up for a much healthier life.

9. Manifesting Your Dream Life

Are you aware that you could be going about life without using your full potential?!

Breaking past limiting beliefs leads to healing and your ability to live out who you really are and what you're really capable of - no limits! You'll dive deep into creative energy and a life filled with joy as you fulfill your purpose.  

Taking a journey of self-discovery it one of the healthiest things you can do. When you live out who you were created to be, those deep dreams you were born with, a vivacious life for you and the people around you is the result.

10. Self-Care With Nature’s Finest

Move over chemical laden skincare and beauty products! 

Plants contain a rich tapestry of natural chemicals and phytonutrients that can be used to relax or energize your mind, support your body’s natural healing processes, help you sleep, soothe your skin, and so much more! 

Aromatherapy, essential oils and herbs are incredibly powerful tools to assist you in achieving total body wellness. 

Holistic health is truly a deeply complex conversation, which is worthy of more time and energy than this article allows. In fact, it’s more accurately a lifelong journey. 

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