10 simple tips for holistic health - Create a Lifestyle You Can Stick To
holistic health is considering your body as a whole and creating a healthy environment for mind, body and spirit.
We only get one shot at this life, might as well make the most of it. Health is not a certain number on the scale, clothing size or outward appearance. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Health is all about what is going on inside the body, which ultimately will reflect how you look and feel on the outside. We all know the standard things such as: eat healthy, exercise, drink water, etc. It’s also easier said than done. With my time in studying holistic health and alternative medicine it has allowed me to look at health in a whole new perspective. My goal now is not to have a certain body type, pants size or weight, but instead to create an overall healthy environment that I expose myself too. Life is amazing and I want to live it as long as possible. There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve goals, like getting to a certain weight. Goals can give you motivation and drive. However, there are diets and low calorie foods out there that may help you reach your goals, but at the expense of your health. These ten things I will share may not all be new to you but hopefully can give you ideas of ways to create an overall healthier environment as well as live a less toxic life for yourself and the people around you.
We all take in toxins and harsh chemicals into our bodies by everything we do and surround ourselves with. It is impossible to completely avoid them. I feel you should eat cake and pizza and whatever else you want to sometimes, but in moderation. Creating an everyday holistic health lifestyle where you eat clean and rid yourself of toxins will make it ok to not care every once in while.
1. Eat your fruits and vegetables
I know you hear this all the time, but rightfully so. It can be difficult to get in the right mindset about these foods. I think a lot of people try to force themselves to eat fruits and vegetables in order to lose weight. It’s not only about that. Fruits and vegetables truly heal the body. They have different purposes that can be used to help combat disease or fight a health issue. I highly recommend the book “Life-Changing Foods” by Anthony William. You learn about different types of fruits and vegetables and how they can be useful to help with certain health related problems as well as the nutrients they provide. It really gives you a new way to look at food. You may think buying these foods organic is expensive, but it is cheaper than all the health care costs and prescriptions you could be buying instead. Something to think about.
2. Grow your own
Eating organic is not always easy or cheap. I try my best but understand that currently organic foods are more expensive. What is even better and cheaper is growing your own produce. This is also explained in the book above. There is something so satisfying about picking and eating food that you have grown yourself. If its not an option for you, another great thing is finding a local market. Sadly sometimes around here they are only available certain times a year, but its a great place to get fresher produce when available. It may have some start up costs to make your own garden, but worth the time and effort. If you have no idea where to start you can find tips for beginners anywhere online. Below is a link to a resource I think is useful:
my personal home garden
3. Essential oils
The popularity of essential oils is continually growing and that is fantastic to see. They are incredible and there is an oil for everything you can imagine. One thing that is important is to make sure you are using oils that are 100% pure. I personally am not loyal to any specific brand. I actually find a lot of mine at places like TjMaxx and Amazon, I just make sure to read the label. You don't want to be inhaling in bad stuff with it, it defeats the purpose. If your sinuses are plugged you can inhale eucalyptus. If you have a headache or stomach ache peppermint can help, clary sage is good for pms, tea tree oil is beneficial in helping clear acne and the list goes on and on. If there is some issue you have google what oil can help with it. Instead of going straight to popping a pill, try an oil and see if it can help you. You have nothing to lose.
I am also a huge fan of CBD as a natural remedy. You can learn more about its uses and benefits here, All About CBD Oil.
4. Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices taste amazing and also come with so many benefits for your body. Again, the best thing to do is grow your own or buy organic if possible. Each can be healing as medicine and as well as flavor to foods. Turmeric is a popular spice that is really be talked about this days. It is anti-inflammatory as well has allows the body to take in more antioxidants. Garlic tastes amazing and can help to beat the common cold. Don't use the garlic salt that you find at the store, but rather dice it up fresh and add it to your sautéed vegetables. There are too many fantastic herbs and spices to name but try playing and round with them a bit in your cooking to find what you like the best. It is way better and healthier than just dumping in a bunch of salt.
spices in Chawdni Chowk market, Dehli, India
5. Move
Exercise has to be brought up when it comes to living a healthy life. What is essential is finding exercise that works for you. Not everyone may love a sweaty bootcamp or running long distances. Starting is the hardest part, once you get going you will get addicted. There are so many options these days of different types of exercise, you are sure to find something that you enjoy. It may take some time to figure it out but the important thing is to try and to move. Even if it’s just going for walks. Find something to keep your body moving. When you body sweats it can help to release toxins through your pores, make your bones stronger, aides in heart health and releases endorphins which make you feel good and happy. There is apps, youtube, online communities at you fingertips so there is no excuse to not do something even if you have a busy life.
6. Mindset
A healthy mind is everything. This is probably one of the hardest things, but the best things for you life. Self talk is so so important. It may seem silly but your mindset needs to be healthy as well. A vision board is a great way to start the day with the right mindset. It can be a vision board next to your bed or on your phone. Something you can look at daily that adds positivity to your life and also keeps your focus on whatever you goals may be. I firmly believe in visualization and focus. Also, give yourself break. We tend to be way to hard on ourselves and put way too much focus on the negatives rather than the positives. Take time to relax, to be with yourself and clear your mind. I may not know how difficult this is when comes to having children but whatever you need to do to do it. The better you take care of yourself, the better you would probably be to take care of them.
Read more about upgrading your health mindset!
7. Make your own beauty products
You can make anything you need at home. Pinterest is your best friend and has an endless amount of resources. Not just recipes for food, but recipes for lotions or any other beauty product you can think of. You can find a lot of the things right in your kitchen. There are so many chemicals and toxins in the products we use, especially us women. Whatever we put on our skin seeps into our bloodstream, especially our face with how thin our skin. Typically you can make things for much less and they can go a long way.
Avocado Honey Face Mask: This easy to make face mask for dry skin uses only 2 natural ingredients, namely, avocado and honey, both of which act as natural moisturizers. This mask works wonders for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. Take 1 fully ripe fresh avocado, remove the skin as well as the seed, and mash it up into creamy pulp in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir in honey until it turns into a uniform paste. Apply to skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the mixture with lukewarm water and pat dry your face with a soft towel. recipe from http://www.beauteous.co.nz.
8. Start your day right
Start your day with a good healthy meal. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. Even before you eat you can start to wake up your body with a glass of water or even better a glass of warm lemon water. Doing this helps to really start your body off right. It aides in clearing out your digestive system and rehydrating the body after sleeping. My favorite way to start the day is actually with a glass of this:
warm boiled water
fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
a couple pieces of ginger
ground tumbrel
ground cinnamon
pinch of cayenne pepper
you can vary the amount of each ingredient but each will help you kick star your morning and get your body ready of the day.
9. Holistic medicine and natural remedies
There may be times when traditional medicine is necessary, and you may need to look up local injury doctors or physiotherapists, for example, but switching out some things and try some holistic options. You can find all kinds of natural alternative medicines at your local health food store or even some grocery stores care a selection. It is important to research before taking something or talk to your doctor if you are currently taking any medications. Natural medicines can have side effects too, so read the label and use them as directed. Natural remedies are not always in the form of “medicine” but rather other ways to help heal yourself. Natural remedies can also be massage, cupping, acupuncture and more. Just google natural remedies for whatever it is what you are dealing with. It may be something that seems silly, like wrapping a knee injury with cabbage to help manage swelling and pain. It also may end up being the thing that works. try it.
10. Replace your household products
Cleaning products, candles, laundry soap, hand soap, you name it, it contains harsh chemicals and toxins. You can start replacing these with products that do not contain these harmful things or again make your own. The most cost affective thing is to make your own. You can use oils even for a lot of these things along with other common household items. Pinterest here is a great resource for you. A recipe for an awesome homemade all purpose cleaner can be found here, https://wellnessmama.com/24566/natural-cleaning-spray/.
These are just 10 little changes you can slowly begin to make to create an overall healthier environment for yourself and your family. Making some home made lotions or beauty products can be a fun thing to do with friends. Incorporating this into your life can help you with maintaining a healthy you inside and out.
health, love & happiness,
Courtney
