Holistic health practices focus on healing and balancing all of these aspects of wellness — looking at health as a whole, rather than pieces that function separately. A holistic health practitioner is likely to prescribe both traditional medicines, as well as lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition and sleep, connection to a community, spiritual support, energetic healing, mindfulness, and more to help balance physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual health.

Holistic health as we know it today began with ancient healing practices that originated thousands of years ago. These ancient practices stressed living a healthy, balanced life. Traditions such as Ayurveda, acupuncture, the study of chakras, meridian lines, and energy healing originated in the East, in India, China, and other countries. These practices made their way around their globe, but as scientific medical advances were made in the West, healthcare began to focus mainly on quick fixes through pills and medicine instead of healing through lifestyle changes.

As time has gone on, people have begun to circle back to that original knowledge of healing by holistic means. A holistic health lifestyle has grown in popularity each year, as the holistic methods offer easy to implement lifestyle changes that support the whole person.

Holistic health is characterized by the treatment of the whole person – mind, body, and soul – taking into account mental and social factors, as well as physical symptoms of disease. Principles of holistic health rest primarily on the idea that our bodies have an innate ability to heal themselves. Holistic health uses both modern medicine as well as alternative health methods to treat symptoms of physical, emotional, and mental distress.

Holistic health pursues the highest level of functioning and balance every aspect of the human experience. This includes physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual and social conditions. Balance between these concepts may achieve a well-rounded, healthy, happy state of being.

With mindfulness, self-study, and attentiveness, anyone can create a holistic lifestyle. Starting holistic health practices is as simple as tuning in and trusting that your subconscious knows what will benefit your body, mind, and spirit.

• Keep a journal: Document the actions you take and how they make you feel. Record any negative symptoms you experience, as well as the experiences that make you feel good! As you record your experiences you’ll begin to see what areas of your life could use holistic healing support.
• Remember who’s in charge: You are in control of your health. One of the important aspects of holistic healing is the belief that you can do so much more that we realize to heal yourself. In holistic health, healing begins on the inside, rather than externally.
• Seek to learn and understand: Many wonderful holistic healing books have been written on a wide range of healing modalities. Reading about different healing practices can be a great way to get acquainted with them, and see what interests you most.
• Take advantage of free resources: Discover Healing is happy to provide free resources for those curious about exploring the world of energy work! Check out our resources to get started.

As holistic health rises in popularity, it has become easier to find wonderful credentialed practitioners nearby that can help beginners just starting out in holistic healing. As you search for a holistic health practitioner near you, here are a few things to keep in mind: