holistic living part I: an introduction

Simple. Clean. Non-toxic.

This is what holistic living means to me and how I believe these principles can significantly impact your wellbeing. Holistic, at its root means “whole.” Often times relating to health, holistic approaches look at the whole person and apply natural methods as solutions. Holistic practices offer you the ability to build a strong natural foundation which can aide in the longevity of a healthy, vibrant life. I urge you to take this and define what holistic living looks like for you :)

Simple

Holistic living is all about going back to basics. These days, there are so many products, so many options to choose from it can seem overwhelming! For me, simplification comes from having a mindset of need vs. want. The media is constantly pressuring our inner consumer to buy products that we think we need. Be cognizant of what you are buying. Invest in good, wholesome products that use natural ingredients and few chemicals. Less is more.

Clean

My second tip for holistic living is to have a clean diet! Holistic health is just as much about what you put in your body as what you put on it. The easiest way to start implementing this into your life is when you shop for food. Stick to the outer perimeter of the grocery store- where all the fresh food is. Fruits, vegetables, cheese, deli meat, fish, poultry, and meats. Of course, there are some exceptions for aisle products such as olive oil, bread, pasta, canned vegetables, and sauces. The main point is that you avoid foods that are processed and packaged. If it’s wrapped in plastic, it’s probably not clean-eating. Our bodies are designed to perform their best when we fuel them with naturally occurring energy sources. In addition, by taking out those chemically processed foods, my body has an easier time digesting and using the energy from the whole foods I give it. Clean from the inside out.

Non-toxic

This has become my favorite part of holistic living. I have learned so much about toxins and how they affect us. Eliminating toxins and chemicals from my products has been a game changer in the way that I feel and look! There is a laundry list of harmful ingredients found in most products- everything from your shampoo to moisturizer to laundry detergent. Why is it important to avoid using products with chemicals? In the same way your body responds negatively to processed foods, it responds similarly to absorption of chemicals. The skin is the largest organ and it absorbs about 60% of whatever is applied to it. That means that whatever toxic chemicals are in a product, are now being absorbed and entering your bloodstream. Gross. So just like you watch what you put in your body, you also need to watch what you put on your body. More to follow on this!