The five pillars of health is a whole-body approach which can help you achieve optimal health. If one of the following holistic aspects of health are compromised, most likely other areas will be as well. When I learned about this in college I felt empowered to take control of all aspects of my health and guide others to do the same by living it and then passing it on to others in doing the work I love. In my 10 years of being a healthcare professional, I’ve added holistic treatment into my care more and more each year with long lasting results. I help my patients create balanced optimal health and longevity because I guide them towards improving their health in all five pillars of their life. It’s never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest you, so keep reading!
Physical
Our physical health is the most obvious and usually what comes to mind when people think of health. It is pretty apparent when our physical health is either doing great or not so great due to the symptoms we can noticeably see such as pain, tiredness, soreness, etc.
Here are some tips to keep your physical health in tact:
Eat a nutrient dense diet full of natural foods (avoid anything processed)
Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
Sleep for 8 hours each night
Limit excess amounts of sugar
Stretch before and after working out to avoid injury or pain
2. Emotional
Many have the misconception that only our physical health matters. However It is equally as important to stay in tune with our emotional health as it is to with our physical!
Here are some tips to maintain your emotional health:
Practice mindfulness and meditation
Click here to learn about my yoga offerings
Click here for Headspace which is a very accessible guided mediation program I use for myself and with my clients
Have someone to talk to (friend, family, therapist, etc.)
Keep a journal to record your thoughts and feelings
Have a designated activity as an outlet for when you’re feeling stressed or anxious (coloring, running, swimming, reading, listening to music, walking, cooking, etc.)
3. Social
All of the research proves that the happiest people on earth have deep connections with their friends, family, and community. I know can be difficult in the era of Covid and social distancing, but it is still possible to maintain social relationships regardless.
Here are great ways to maintain your social health (yes, even during Covid):
Make time weekly to call your loved ones (friends or family) who live far away
Be sure to also make time for in person connection (go on a socially distant walk with a friend or family member)
Get to know your neighbors or the people in your community (church, temple, clubs, etc.)
Only leave room for people who bring positive energy to your life (cut out toxic people!)
4. Spiritual
Maintaining spiritual wellness can be done in a large variety of ways. Some people use religion as an outlet to find spiritual wellness, but that is just one of the many options. Spiritual health means connecting with your inner soul and the greater world around you, which has no right or wrong ways of being done. The options are endless.
If you’re feeling a lack of spiritual wellness, here are some tips:
Meditate daily (click here for my yoga class details)
Spend time in nature
Make sure to get your alone time in
Practice your faith (whatever that may be)
5. Mental
Our mental health is a crucial part of maintaining both physical and emotional well-being. While our emotional health reflects our moods and feelings, our mental health refers to our cognitive abilities that affect how our brain functions.
Ways to support your mental health:
Always keep your mind active (read, ask yourself or others thought revoking questions, solve puzzles, etc.)
Refrain from staring at a screen all day (I know this can be hard, but try to set time limits on your iphone through the “screen time” option via settings)
Avoid foods that trigger brain fog (this depends on each individual person, so use trial and error to discover what foods you should avoid)
Maintain a healthy gut (the brain is directly connected to the gut)
Use these 5 pillars as a guide to live your healthiest and best life. I believe this holistic approach will make for a happy and balanced lifestyle. If you need assistance throughout your health and wellness journey, contact me!