The definition of a holistic wellness lifestyle is fluid, as at the core of anything been holistic, is not set in stone, it evolves and adapts. Simply put, it is a way of living that balances and nourishes your naturally entwined three core spheres as a human being, mind (mental), body (physical) and soul (spiritual).

Physical wellness (body) entails the ability to listen and taking care of your body for optimal health and functioning. Your nutrition and movement of the body are the key components to this physical sphere. It is of paramount importance and priority for your body to be fuelled and that fuel comes in the form of energy from the food you eat.

Ideally, nutritious food aids in the correct functioning of all the vitals of your body. According to a BMJ clinical research by Joseph Firth and his colleagues, “poor nutrition may be a casual factor in the experience of low mood and improving diet may help to protect not only the physical health but also the mental health of the population.”

There are infinite number of physical activities one can embark on to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Find what you enjoy and make a habit of exercising daily for at least thirty minutes. Exercise also helps you to improve your memory and brain function and can protect you against chronic diseases and mental illness.

Do you see a pattern here – both nutrition and physical exercise contribute to the state of your mental wellness. It is also important to know the quality and quantities to eat. Moderation and high nutritious foods should be your go to. With exercise, do not overdo it, listen to your body and rest is equally important for optimal benefits.

It has been arguably said that the most important human organ is the brain. It is where all the communication that makes you function as a human being occurs. This is done via a complex articulate-organised communication network called neurons and neurotransmitters. It is critical for this network to be balanced as it is directly linked to your mental wellness and every other function in your body, including processing of your emotions.

Mental wellness encompasses your psychological, emotional and occupational & social spheres. The impact these factors have on us and how we interpret and deal with them on a daily basis, is directly linked to the state of our mental health.

How you perceive, process and act or learn from the negative aspects presented from time to time from these spheres, is key to an optimal mental wellness ecosystem.

According to an article written by Beth McGroarty for the Global Wellness Institute; “mental wellness is an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.” You may read more to understand mental wellness and health.

Spiritual wellness is your life’s meaning and the purpose you serve for the greater good. It is the development and evolvement of your values, principles, morals and beliefs and how they shape you and guide you in living your purpose.

One has to ask self, what is their connection and contribution to the world? Often times you find pieces of these answers in grounding and spending time with yourself. Consistent meditation and introspection, and spending time in nature are some great activities to boost your spiritual wellness.

An optimistic and positive outlook on life, even in situations that are not so good, are habits one has to consciously choose to opt for. This applies to your social, occupational and emotional spheres of life too.

Be kind to yourself, do not search for or strive to be perfect, because perfection does not exist, instead strive to be better than you were yesterday. It starts and ends with that person you are staring in the mirror.

Why is holistic wellness important? Holistic wellness looks at the key components that make up and empower a person, as spheres that are entwined and cannot be separated to operate on their own.

These components, mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, social and occupational, are narrowed down to mind, body and soul and co-exist. One thrives when this multi-faceted ecosystem works like a well-oiled machine and are all critical parts of the human and cannot operate independently.

When this eco-system is richly nourished, it flourishes and one thrives in all areas of life. You experience peace and happiness.