Healthy Healing
Healthy healing is synonymous with holistic health; it is a whole-person philosophy of healthcare that gives equal weight to the multifaceted nature of wellness. It takes into account the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual domains of a person’s life as contributors to their overall state of “well-being”.
The two key perspectives this approach to health brings are:
The interconnectedness of life areas and the need for regulated balance as a whole.
Each person has their own unique pace through any nurturing or healing process.
Understanding whole-person healing
Healthy healing is not merely the elimination of disease but a dynamic state of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. It involves looking beyond just diet or exercise but also considers mental health, emotional well-being, relationships, and personal growth. It promotes balance and long-term well-being as opposed to short-term band-aid fixes. This method encourages individuals to address their long-standing overlooked needs and embrace self-sustaining healthcare habits and life choices.
Following are examples of whole-person interconnectedness and some ways to strengthen our health and healing choices:
1. Mind-Body Connection
Intuitively humans have known and used the mind-body connection in their language for centuries. “I can’t stomach the news!”, “I feel sick thinking about it”, “That person gets on my nerves”, and “Work gives me a headache” - all commonplace expressions highlighting how our mental state impacts our physical state. As a well-researched area in the field of Medical Health and Psychology, we now know that chronic stress weakens the immune system, leading to a host of health issues, from high blood pressure to digestive problems.
Life choices: By acknowledging this connection, holistic healing encourages practices like yoga, mindfulness, grounding exercises, meditation, breathwork, cardio exercises, which can soothe the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote physical relaxation, improve mental clarity and life longevity; aiding in the body’s natural healing processes.
2. Nourishing the Body
As an interface between our inner and outer worlds, our body supports a multitude of our needs and provides for our different life domains. To honor and care for it, a balanced nutritious diet is an essential where the body can access the nutrients needed for healing and repair. Regular physical activity, tailored to our needs and capabilities, helps maintain strength and flexibility, while also boosting mood through the release of endorphins. Sleep and rest are critical aspects of holistic healing.
Life choices: By practicing sleep hygiene and creating simple and effective morning and nighttime routines, scheduling times for active and passive rests just like we schedule for other duties, practicing intuitive eating, and staying mindful of our relationship with rest and nourishment. In the long run, these habits support repair and memory consolidation and help rejuvenate and restore the mind-body balance.
3. Emotional and Spiritual Health
From a holistic standpoint, emotional wounds can be just as harmful as physical ones. Neglecting emotions often leads to burnout, anxiety, or depression. By addressing these aspects of being human, we can cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and emotional freedom, which ultimately enhances our overall health.
Life choices: For some, it might involve working through unresolved trauma, establishing healthy boundaries in relationships, or seeking a deeper sense of purpose in life. Practices such as therapy, journaling, or spiritual exploration can be incredibly healing, allowing individuals to release emotional burdens and reconnect with themselves and others.
The beauty of holistic healing is that it’s accessible to everyone. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to start; small, consistent steps can lead to significant changes. The best way to start is to make an assessment of your current needs and begin with incorporating a practice that you’ll be most likely to stick with and gain momentum to stack on another, then another, and keep going. Whether it’s through mindful eating, daily movement, meditation, or simply carving out time for self-reflection, each step you take toward holistic health is a step toward a more balanced, fulfilled life.
If you’re curious to explore how personalized counseling can support your wellbeing journey, reach out to us at info@sakeenahcanada.com or 1-888-671-3446 to discuss cost-free options with our Mental Health Counselors.
Written by Shamyle Rizwan Khan - Mental Health Counselor at Sakeenah, Canada. I enjoy working with clients as they transition through different life stages and am committed to offering them a safe space to be creative through their transformations. Not to brag, but my Chrome app greets me with a :D every day - iykyk.
About Sakeenah Canada
Sakeenah Canada, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling, child and youth programming, a food program to help combat food insecurity, an anti-human trafficking program, and foster care. Sakeenah Canada currently operates 9 homes for Muslim women and children across Canada, which includes shelters in Toronto, Brampton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, and St. John’s; and a long-term housing project in Windsor.
Charitable Registration Number: 776013310 RR 0001
