For the first time in a long time, it feels as if we are truly realizing the importance of holistic health. Besides the obvious global pandemic we endured in 2020, over the past few years our generation has tried to change the narrative from superficial beauty to both inner and outer beauty by understanding the five aspects of holistic health: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental. All of these aspects of holistic health are what keep the body’s energy balanced and healthy.

The American Holistic Health Association explains holistic health as an approach that considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit.

With holistic health, there is the belief that the body contains an energy system that is the support and life for the physical body.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Physical health is most commonly tied to a healthy person, which is only partially true. For years, our society has focused on physical signs and symptoms that are easier to measure versus other non-physical signs and symptoms that can seem more abstract. Holistic health believes in the power of getting eight hours of sleep, along with a balanced diet and abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol intake.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Emotional health can drastically affect physical health. It is important to be mindful of your emotions and practice stress-reduction habits that can help you better manage life’s daily stressors.

SOCIAL HEALTH

Social health has more to do with human connection rather than a full social schedule, such as being a part of a church community or extracurricular clubs and teams. Research has shown that some of the happiest people have deep connections with their friends, family, and community.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Spiritual health looks slightly different for everyone, but it should all achieve the same goal: connecting with who you are at your core and who you are personally. Your spiritual health should focus on how you are connecting with your inner soul and the greater world around you, such as spending time outdoors.

MENTAL HEALTH

Our mental health often overlaps with both our emotional and physical health. One of the major distinctions between the two is that emotional health refers mostly to our daily moods and emotions, while our mental health pertains to our cognitive abilities that affect how our brain functions.

With holistic health, there is the belief that the body contains an energy system that is the support and life for the physical body. Holistic health focuses on more than what can be diagnosed through medical screening. It is the idea that a person feels their best when the body is balanced.