A Holistic Refresher: Dancing on The Healthy Continuum

by Kathy Ryndak and Gord Riddell

 

South of the border there is much heated political debate on the reform of the American health system. There was even a U.S. TV commercial in which a Canadian woman proclaimed that if she had stayed with the Canadian health care system, she would have died waiting for surgery to remove a tumour. Have we have lost our focus on what true health care is all about? Lately, it seems to be more of a political football game than anything else.

 

Another looming issue is that healthcare costs will mount with an aging population, and further cutbacks might occur. This is why the concept of holistic health is so crucial at this time – not just to keep costs under control, but to reclaim our responsibility for our own wellness. Holistic health care, when properly and fully applied, is multi-faceted and dynamic.

 

Let’s refresh our memories on what holistic health and wellness is all about.

 

Holistic health means that our wellness is not only influenced by physical factors, but by emotional, mental and spiritual variables as well. It acknowledges the synergistic interplay of body, mind and spirit in our well being. No one factor is more important than another.

 

True holistic health marries the best of complementary, alternative and traditional medicine, accessing whichever approach is most appropriate and effective for the health issue at hand. Holistic health embraces the psychospiritual influences behind disease. 

 

Simple Ideas About the Holistic Approach 

 

• Many of our aliments can be psychosomatic, influenced by our attitudes, emotions and lifestyle – not withstanding that some diseases are genetic or environmentally caused.

 

• Illness is our body’s intuitive way of talking to us.  Let’s not judge ourselves when we become ill, but instead reflect upon what learning there may be for us. 

 

• A state of continual, perfect health is not really possible. You will experience periods of equilibrium, breakdown and restoration, since change is at the core of life’s essence.

 

• Our body has the innate ability to heal itself. We can enhance the healing response using many natural remedies such as herbs, essential oils or nutrition. 

 

• Germs and viruses are factors in the disease process but they do not necessarily make us sick. That is why we may come into contact with H1N1 and not get sick.

 

• We are all biochemically different. For example, being vegetarian works for some and not for others.

 

• Know your body’s weak points since they will register stress as an early sign of possible further illness.

 

• Illness will manifest subtly at first and then develop into something more serious if untreated. That is why we would treat constipation by eating more fibre before it leads to diverticulitis.

 

The Holistic Continuum

 

Now let’s look at the body- mind-spirit continuum as it relates to health through natural and psychospiritual approaches.

 

Physical:

 

1) Bodywork – whether Swedish, shiatsu, or reflexology, etc. – helps to release blocked energy and reinforces the importance of touch to our wellbeing.

 

2) Aromatic essential oils stimulate and/or soothe our immune and nervous systems. No home should be without lavender to soothe us or citrus scents to stimulate and clear our thoughts.

 

3) Herbal medicine and homeopathy provide important and complementary adjuncts to any treatment program.

 

4) Nutrition and exercise are paramount. Recent research suggests that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced by 60% through regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet.

 

Emotional and Mental:

 

1) Clear old emotions. The more hurt and anger we hold onto from our past, the more problems we will potentially have with our health. Transform old energies into something you can learn from. Playing the victim disempowers you and weakens your energy field.

 

2) Let go of situations and relationships that no longer work for you. Moving on is part of the human experience. People who remain stuck for a long time can become ill if they do not allow the natural movement of life to be part of their experience.

 

3) Know your inner dialogue. We all have beliefs from the past that stop us in our tracks from doing what we need to do. We use these messages to beat ourselves up.

 

Spiritual:

 

1) Look for a deeper meaning in your experiences. Situations happen to us at the physical and emotional level so that we can more closely examine our life and see where we may need to shift or learn.

 

2) Spiritual tools such as meditation, yoga and prayer enhance our search for deeper meaning and wellness. Research shows that they induce the relaxation response – lower heart rate and blood pressure. 

 

3) Having spiritual clarity helps us see a bigger picture and understand our higher purpose. This in turn provides more meaning and inner peace about our life, health and journey.

 

The above list barely touches on the vastness of this important approach to health. It needs to be stressed that this is not an either/or situation, with holistic on one side and allopathic medicine on the other. The two can, and do, work together very nicely.

 

To become holistically empowered means that we take personal responsibility for our health, and the key lies in prevention. Trust that your body is your ally – if you listen to its messages it will always strive to move you to wellness.

 

Gord Riddell and Kathy Ryndak are therapists and co-founders of the Transformational Arts College. The College’s Holistic Health Practitioner Training Program offers courses in aromatherapy, herbal studies, nutrition, bodywork, energy work, natural spa therapies and more starting this September and January. For a calendar call the College at (416) 484-0454 or toll free 1-800-TAC-SELF or visit www.transformationalarts.com