HEALTH. What does this word mean to you personally?

The word, HEALTH comes from the word, WHOLE.

The World Health Organisation defines health this way: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Overall health cannot be divided into food, mind, and body as separate entities. Holistic health looks at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. The relationship must be interdependent for our whole being to thrive. Your mental health is just as important as physical health.

Our minds can affect how healthy our bodies are. What we do with our physical body (what we eat, how much we exercise etc.) can also impact our mental state (again positively or negatively). This results in a complex interrelationship between our minds and bodies. All the organs in our bodies and all the emotional responses we have, share a common chemical language and are constantly communicating with one another. It’s important to note that the “mind” is not synonymous with the brain. The mind consists of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, attitudes, and images. The brain is the hardware that allows us to experience these mental states.

When it comes to holistic health we look beyond the physical body and are focusing on physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health. All of these 5 aspects of holistic health are what enables a person to truly live each day in the healthiest, happiest way possible.

My Top Tips to support your mental health:

• Always keep your mind active by seeking out learning opportunities and problem-solving practices that challenge your brain.

• Consume nutrient-dense foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that will help reduce overall inflammation and support cognitive function. Focus on eating whole fresh foods to nourish your body.

• Improve your gut health with gut-healing foods like bone broth and prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods. A healthy gut is essential for a healthy mind since the brain is directly connected to the gut.

• Be positive, work hard towards your goals, and believe in yourself.

For me, health is about feeling strong, confident, and healthy in my own body. I strongly believe in exercising and nourishing my body with nutritious foods.

A few simple steps can go a long way toward improving your overall health and wellness. Overall health cannot be divided into food, mind, and body as separate entities. Overall health includes the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. The relationship must be interdependent for our whole being to thrive. If you’re trying to live a healthier life, don’t just focus on the foods you eat. Exercise, sleep, mental and spiritual health, and social relationships are also important.

Good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life. You can improve your health by keeping a balanced diet.

My Top Health and Nutrition Tips:

• Consume nutrient-dense foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that will help reduce overall inflammation and support cognitive function. Focus on eating whole fresh foods and a variety of different foods and colors to nourish your body.

• Improve your gut health with gut-healing foods like bone broth and prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods. A healthy gut is essential for a healthy mind since the brain is directly connected to the gut. Good ways to improve gut health include eating probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, and eating plenty of fiber. Fiber functions as fuel for your gut bacteria

• Always keep your mind active by seeking out learning opportunities and problem-solving practices that challenge your brain.
• Stay hydrated and make sure to drink enough water. Limit your intake of soda drinks.
• Be active and make sure to move your body.
• Make sure you eat enough protein. Eating enough protein is vital for optimal health.
• Minimize your sugar, refined carbs, and fried food intake.
• Don’t go on diets. Instead of going on a diet, try adopting a healthier lifestyle. Focus on nourishing your body instead of depriving it. Weight loss should follow as you transition to whole, nutritious foods.
• Be mindful and practice self-discipline.
• Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Eat Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocado, etc.
• Eat your greens. Leafy greens are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Whole grains contain nutrients such as B vitamins, iron, and fiber. These nutrients are essential for body functions such as carrying oxygen in the blood, regulating the immune system, and balancing blood sugar.
• Give your body a rest by Fasting. I recommend intermittent fasting (read my post on Intermittent Fasting and first determine if it’s suitable for you).

I was drawn to nutrition because of a love for food, exercise, and how it helped me heal and my curiosity to learn more about how the body works and thrives with a proper diet and lifestyle changes. I hope my top tips will help you on your journey of achieving optimal overall health.