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Holistic health is an approach that considers the body as a whole, focusing on the mind, body, and soul. It is not a cure but a lifestyle that promotes well-being through various practices. The concept has been around for centuries, and therapies used include herbal medicine, homeopathy, and massage. Choices that negatively affect holistic health include drug use, smoking, alcohol consumption, and unprotected sex. Conversely, a nutritious diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances can maximize holistic health.
Holistic health is an approach to health that addresses the body as a whole, as opposed to traditional health, which focuses on disease and well-being in specific areas of the body. Subscribers to the holistic approach to health believe that maximum health is achieved when the mind, body and soul are functioning as well as possible and are in tune with the environment. The human body is composed of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. If one of these areas is not functioning to its full potential, it will affect all other areas.
The holistic concept of health and medicine has been around for centuries. Philosophers such as Socrates and Hippocrates talked about how many factors contributed to a person’s health. Similarly, ancient Chinese and Indian healing traditions followed the same mind, body, and soul principles as holistic medicine. However, the word “holistic” was not used regularly until Western societies took an interest in alternative medicine in the 1970s.
Holistic health is not a cure, but a lifestyle composed of multiple types of practices that promote the well-being of mind, body and soul. While a holistic approach can be taken with illnesses, which would be the practice of holistic medicine, holistic health care practitioners are very concerned with the preventative maintenance of a person’s body. They wish to treat all possible symptoms, but are more concerned with the underlying cause of a health problem to prevent recurrence.
The types of therapies or treatments used to maximize holistic health are herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, nutrition, chiropractic, stress reduction, psychotherapy, and massage. Besides therapy and treatment, another aspect of holistic health is the choices an individual makes on a daily basis. People make choices that ultimately affect their personal well-being.
Some choices people make that can negatively affect their holistic health are deciding to use drugs, smoke cigarettes, consume large amounts of alcohol, and engage in unprotected sexual activity. Sugar, caffeine, a bad attitude, high stress, and low self-esteem are also believed to have negative effects on a person’s health. Things that have a negative effect on a person’s health expose that person to disease. Conversely, eating a nutritious diet, getting adequate rest, exercising, and avoiding sugar, caffeine, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and unprotected sex are thought to maximize one’s holistic health and keep them disease-free.
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