The Power of Holistic Health: A Personal Journey and Insights

Every individual has their personal preference to choose the approach to treat their health. The holistic approach might be the most effective approach one could adopt for their health because this approach has many advantages as it considers the mind, body, and spirit in short the whole of a person rather than just treating a specific set of symptoms or issues.

Comprehensive Care

The diagnosis of the disease includes the investigation of the exact cause of the disease with reference to physical, mental, and emotional health, which leads to more effective treatment. This approach focuses on the entire well-being of an individual, rather than just addressing a specific symptom.

Focus on Lifestyle

Holistic approach requires lifestyle changes such as nutrition habits and exercise which can promote overall well-being. This includes not only physical health but also mental and emotional health, fostering a balanced and integrated approach to wellness.

Personalization

This approach gives freedom for individualized care suitable for a person's needs and preferences. It allows for a customized and tailored approach to health, taking into account each individual's unique circumstances and background.

Mind-Body Connection

It acknowledges the impact of mental and emotional states on physical health, which can lead to more integrated treatment approaches. This connection underscores the importance of addressing non-physical aspects of health in conjunction with physical treatment.

Importance of Prevention

Along with addressing immediate health issues, the holistic approach emphasizes the importance of prevention. It addresses the root causes and promotes healthy habits and lifestyle changes to prevent illness before it manifests.

That said, the best health approach depends upon an individual’s preferences and specific health conditions. This variability underscores the need for a personalized and integrative approach to health.

Holistic health is a philosophy that looks at health in a multidimensional approach. Let me share with you my story and experience to highlight what I think when it comes to health.

A Personal Story of Health Struggles

Every year, the government spends billions on the health care system, but the number of people getting sick keeps increasing. I worked in the emergency department for 17 years as a registered nurse, and I saw it firsthand.

"A healthy person has a thousand wishes; a sick person only just one."

In 2003, the woman I love the most, my go-to person, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, which she was only 44 years old. We were told that her condition was a progressive disease and the only treatment to manage it was medication. This was very stressful, but it was the first time in my life that I wanted to live more than I wanted to die. My biggest lesson: No one is going to live for you except you. And living means getting your body and mind into a better state.

A major tipping point: In 2020, I started getting gurgles and cough after eating and when lying down at night, exacerbating over three years. I became short of breath easily for an active person with a normal body mass index. I had a scary-looking mole on my right cheek. Thinking it would solve the problem, I cut it out, but it grew back, bigger and angrier than before. My kids' intermittent eczema also became a chronic norm. I was worried and depressed, feeling hopeless.

What was worse, my blood work was normal, and the X-rays were clear. Why was I getting worse? I wasn't crazy, I knew. I refused to get sick like my mother. I had to do something. Something had to change. My 17 years of experience as a nurse became valuable. I became determined and refused to let life beat me down again like it did in my early 20s.

The Turning Point and Results

This is where the 17 years of being a nurse became invaluable. I listened to patients' success and failure stories and realized that the answer was never because they were on a certain medication. It was always about changing their lifestyle, mostly by changing their diet. I switched to a whole food diet. In the first month, I didn’t see any results. In the second month, I had more energy, and I could breathe easier. Allergies and rashes were less. In the third month, the mole on my face shrunk. In the fourth month, all my signs and symptoms, along with my kids' eczema, disappeared. A miracle!

"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one."

This experience made me realize that my approach to health needed to change. I was trained as a registered nurse, but the push for medications for everything didn’t align with what I believed. This led me to take a nutrition health coaching certificate, then complete a certified holistic nutrition and health coaching diploma. Finally, I quit my nursing job. Now, I believe it is in your best interest to become your own medical detective.

Your diet makes a big difference on your physical and mental health. It can improve your quality of life, prevent illnesses, and give you the energy you need to live your best life. Take control of your health and embrace the power of holistic health.