5 ASPECTS TO CULTIVATE YOUR NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
First things first. What exactly is “natural” health and wellness? Some label this as “alternative” health. I strongly disagree with this view. Natural health, or holistic health as I also call it, is real health. It is the real state of being that was originally intended for us, meaning the natural ways in which the systems and cells work in the body, mind, and spirit. It is the whole body, not just sections of the body. It includes the outside of the body and surrounding areas. Think your environment and mother earth. It’s nature. It’s what is natural. Natural health is our natural state of being. It is our wellness entirely.
Are you a natural person? Are you wanting to be a more natural person? Here are five aspects or areas to consider.
1. PHYSICAL BODY – The physical body, of course, is the first thing most of us think of when we start mentioning natural health. Understandably so. How we eat, sleep, and how we feel on a physical basis encompasses this area. Do we feel well? Do we feel energetic? Or do we feel tired or unwell? Eating healthy, organic nutrient-dense foods that are lower in carbs and sugars with keep the body and mind functioning optimally. Limit toxins both on and in our bodies will keep us feeling well. This means our foods and drinks as well as the products we use on our bodies as well as the ones we use in our homes, like cleaning supplies, air fresheners, etc., is super important to our natural health. Drink clean water for keeping the physical body properly hydrated. This helps with bodily functions like metabolism and joint mobility. Movement and exercise are another important area for natural health. I remember my mother saying to us kids, “move it or lose it.” Okay, maybe she wasn’t referring to exercise, but it is relevant here. After all, the body was designed to move. When we sit or stay immobile, we rust. So, move it or lose it!
2. EMOTIONAL BODY – The emotional aspect of our natural health is mostly an overlooked area to many. We’re simply losing our ability to feel it seems with so much of internet, computers, and cell phones. This technology limits our humanness on the emotional side of things. Consider doing what I call a technology fast. Unplug yourself from these stressors and sit with your emotions in a quiet space. I have learned that being present with my emotions is really what gets me through some of the toughest emotional traumas. Being happy is one thing and it’s of course quite easy to do. When we are feeling less than happy is when the trouble begins. In the natural world, it is said that all autoimmune diseases begin with emotional trauma. We must learn to work through and process these emotional stresses.
3. SPIRITUAL BODY – Most consider this area to be religious in nature. I believe it’s more than this. Energy, frequency, and vibrations make up this area and are very much part of our natural health. Of course, we strive for higher vibrations because this feels good, but we experience all kinds of negative energies, too. These can be fears, worries, or even our own ego-centric thoughts. Being mindful of our spiritual body It is said the spiritual body is aligned with our eternal life or soul. This brings us peace in our lives, hope for better things, and purpose. Consider doing some meditation or cultivate a gratitude practice to bring a sense of connection to this area.
4. MENTAL BODY – This area is the mind and includes things like being able to manage stress, staying healthy, and keeping an uplifting mood with good energy and vibrations. Getting enough good quality sleep is super important to our mental health. Adults are generally recommended to aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. There’s another area of the body where our mental wellness factors greatly. This is in the gut. There is such a thing called the gut-brain axis. This means there is a direct line between the brain and the gut through neurotransmitters and the like. This means it is imperative to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, leafy greens, some fruits, and so on. These good foods will naturally provide the good bacteria (prebiotics and probiotics) our gut needs to maintain a healthy environment.
5. SOCIAL BODY – This body needs you to be connected. The social body is as exactly as it sounds. It requires sharing connections with other people whether you’re a part of a congregation, community group, or the local band. Being social is about being a part of something. It gives purpose and accountability to your healthy daily habits. The communications shared between these connections helps to keep our cognitive processes on point, especially as we age.
This biggest take-away here is to realize all these bodies are connected. It’s never just one thing with the body. The body is far too complex for it to ever be just one thing. Always try to focus on the entire body as a whole.