Are you doing a good job taking care of your health? This is perhaps a question that you ask yourself often or one that you have forgotten.

It can be hectic. It can be hard to make time for self-care when you have so many things going on - work, family, friends, and even your job. People often don't approach their health holistically, and instead, focus their self-care on the mind or the body. Let's break down the importance of holistic self-care, and give you some simple practices that you can include in your self-care routine.

What is "Holistic self-care" and why is it important?

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellbeing as "the active pursuits of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead towards a state of whole-healthy health". While holistic health is often divided into physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, it could also encompass other social and environmental factors. It is easier to focus if we start with a broad definition.

Holistic self-care can be described as both the mental and physical aspects of well-being. It can be hard to define so it is helpful to have a reference model. The Wheel of Health (2010) by Duke Integrative Medicine breaks it down into seven main categories.

• Exercise, movement, and relaxation
• Nutrition
• Personal and professional growth
• Physical environment
• Communication and relationships
• Spirituality
• Mind-body connection

The Mind-Body Connection is one of the main areas of focus for this wheel. Though they are often viewed as being separate entities, your mind is a powerful partner with your body. Your thinking can impact how you feel. How you feel can also affect how you think. All of us have experienced stress and worry at some point in our lives, whether it be professional or personal. It is possible to recall instances when emotional stressors caused physical discomforts like tension, pain, or stomach problems. Similar to how physical pain, discomfort or health issues can affect your emotions, it can also lead to depression, anxiety, and stress. This is why it is important to have a holistic approach to self-care.

There are some key practices that can make a big difference to your overall health and well-being when it comes down to holistic self-care.

• Mind- looking for learning opportunities and challenging your brain with problem-solving activities
• Emotional- Mind-Body Practices like deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation are designed to strengthen a harmonious relationship between mind and body in order to improve or maintain health.
• Regular exercise and a monthly massage are also recommended. Massage therapy is a combination of self-care and professional care. It can help to reduce pain, promote relaxation and ease stress and tension.
• Spiritual- Connecting with your inner self and the world around it through reading, journaling and time in nature. Also, connect with your spiritual community in order to share your beliefs and practice them in groups