What is Holistic Living?
Holistic living is a mindful approach to life that incorporates all aspects of an individual, including the mind, body & spirit. Holistic living focuses on conscious and informed mind, body, spirit decision making. There are varying degrees of holistic living; what matters is focusing on what works for you and your circumstances.
Holistic Nursing
I belong to a great nursing organization called the American Holistic Nurses Association. The following is my interpretation of the AHNA’s description of what holistic nursing is:
They describe holistic nursing as “all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal” (American Holistic Nurses’ Association, 1998, Description of Holistic Nursing). This nursing specialty guides nurses in becoming therapeutic partners with people in their care by drawing on nursing knowledge, theories, expertise and intuition.
As a holistic nurse, I am an instrument of healing and facilitate the healing process, honoring each individual's subjective experience about health, health beliefs, and values.
Holistic nurses may integrate complementary therapies into clinical practice to complement, broaden, enhance and enrich the scope of nursing practice and to help individuals access their greatest healing potential.
Holistic nursing practice requires nurses to integrate self-care, self-responsibility, spirituality, and reflection in their own lives, which ultimately leads to greater awareness of the interconnectedness with self, others, nature, and spirit.
Holistic nursing is not necessarily something that you do: it is an attitude, a philosophy, a way of being, and a way of life.
This blog is my way of sharing the mission and vision of the nursing specialty that is most important to me; inspiring healing and wholeness with all those who read along.
The Benefits of a Holistic Lifestyle
For the nurse:
As a nurse, I am responsible for my own health and wellness. It is terribly difficult to care for others when you are not well. So, I spend tons of time learning what I enjoy, what helps me relax and rejuvenate, and how I can better serve others with the gifts and abilities that I’ve been blessed with.
Holistic nursing encourages me to care for myself with as much compassion and attentiveness as I would my patients. Therefore, I enjoy the benefits of complementary therapies and sharing them with others. Being a holistic nurse and living life holistically allows me to reflect on life and what works for me. It helps me to appreciate the little things, marvel at the wonders of this world, and love others greater each and every day. This is who I was created to be!
For those with whom I serve & share:
Becoming a mother is a major life event that affects your whole life, including your values, beliefs, identity, and relationships. It makes sense to care for your mind, body, & spirit during this transition and reap the benefits of a holistic lifestyle.
I’ve listed the 7 most common benefits of taking a holistic approach to wellness:
- Relieves discomfort
- Maximizes your physical health
- Promotes spiritual growth
- Enhances your relationships and support system
- Prepares you to be an informed participant in your healthcare
- Brings awareness of what works for your body and health; helping you to avoid unnecessary technology and intervention
- Reduces stress and enables you to cope with it in a healthy manner
Consider It
If you’ve never contemplated living holistically, take things slowly. Follow this blog to learn how you can simply and practically live a well-balanced, holistic life.
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