The World Health Organisation defines health as “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Holistic health very much aligns with this WHO’s definition of health.

Until a few decades back, health was more focussed on conventional medicine which took into account only the physical well-being of an individual. Absense of a disease or treating the diseases and curing the patient was the end target for being healthy. As a modern medicine doctor, even I was more focussed on treating physical diseases rather than approaching as a ‘whole person’ management in my thirty years of medical career.

Holistic health does not just consider the physical body but also takes into account a person’s mental, emotional and spiritual well being. In the last four decades or so, the concept of holistic health has become very popular and has been practised by both health professionals and patients meaningfully.

What does holistic health mean in everyday life or how do we practice holistic health on a regular basis? Here is what we do regularly to be holistically healthy:

• Eat a balanced diet: At least one whole meal a day that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. Drink around 2.5 litres of water or 6-8 glasses everyday.
• Exercise at least 5 times a week-walking or jogging for 20-30 minutes, swimming, cycling and yoga are good exercises. Doing treadmill while cooking, walking upstairs instead of taking a lift or parking your car some distance away and walking to the office are good examples of incidental exercises.
• Get a good sleep, at least 7-8 hours a day.
• Take care of your mental health-try to avoid chronic stressors at work or at home, do not take your stress to bed, always engage your mind and do something positive, and think positive.
• Take care of your finances-bad financial practices, unwanted spendings, spending more than your income can all affect your mental health.
• Strengthen your relationship with your partner, family and friends. A good conversation and being grateful even for simple things can make your relationship very strong and healthy.
• Practice or learn to practice spirituality-meditation, yoga and prayers help in developing your deeper self and deepen the connection between your mind, body and soul.
• And above try to be positive everyday-smile, stay calm and focused, be kind to others, do one thing good everyday that makes you happy, avoid negative company and think that you are the luckiest person on earth. This is all what holistic health is about.