In today’s fast-paced world, health issues are often addressed in a piecemeal way, with separate treatments for physical symptoms and mental health challenges. However, holistic therapy takes a different approach, focusing on mind, body, and spirit interconnectedness. Instead of simply targeting a specific ailment, holistic therapy considers the whole person, addressing all areas of health to promote true healing and balance.
With my background in both nursing and counselling, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact holistic therapy can have. By looking beyond individual symptoms and treating the underlying causes, holistic therapy can provide lasting relief and improve overall well-being.
What is Holistic Therapy?
The term “holistic” comes from the word “whole,” which captures the essence of this approach. Rather than viewing a person as a collection of separate parts, holistic therapy sees us as interconnected beings. Our physical, mental, and emotional health are all linked, and imbalances in one area can affect the others.
In practice, holistic therapy can combine various techniques, from counselling and mindfulness practices to nutrition guidance and gentle physical exercises like yoga. For instance, someone dealing with chronic anxiety might benefit not only from traditional talk therapy but also from relaxation techniques, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes that support both mind and body.
Why Take a Holistic Approach?
Taking a holistic approach matters because it addresses the root causes of health issues rather than just managing symptoms. For example, stress can have many physical effects, such as headaches, digestive problems, and sleep disturbances. While treating each of these symptoms is helpful, a holistic approach goes deeper by helping people understand and manage the underlying stress that may be causing them.
In my work, I’ve found that treating only the physical symptoms can sometimes feel like a “band-aid” approach. Holistic therapy, on the other hand, helps people explore the bigger picture. By addressing the root of their issues and supporting the entire person, holistic therapy can often bring about more lasting change and relief.
Key Benefits of a Holistic Therapy Approach
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Holistic therapy can effectively reduce stress and anxiety by offering techniques that support both the mind and body. Mindfulness exercises, breathing practices, and counselling can calm the nervous system and give people tools to handle stress. These approaches help people feel more grounded, even during challenging times, which can lead to a more relaxed and centred life.
2. Improves Physical Health
By treating the whole person, holistic therapy often leads to improvements in physical health as well. Mental and physical health are closely linked; for example, ongoing stress and unresolved emotions can contribute to physical ailments like high blood pressure or digestive issues. Through holistic approaches, people often find relief from physical symptoms as their emotional well-being improves. Techniques such as nutrition guidance, exercise, and sleep routines also support the body’s natural healing abilities.
3. Builds Self-Awareness and Emotional Resilience
Holistic therapy encourages self-reflection and awareness, helping people better understand themselves and what affects their health. Through counselling and self-exploration, individuals learn more about their habits, triggers, and underlying beliefs, often leading to greater emotional resilience. This self-knowledge can be empowering, helping people make healthier decisions that align with their needs.
4. Encourages Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Rather than simply providing quick fixes, holistic therapy promotes sustainable lifestyle changes. It offers practical tools and strategies for maintaining long-term health, such as improving diet, establishing a sleep routine, and practising stress management. These small changes can significantly impact one’s overall health and quality of life, helping to prevent future issues as well.
5. Supports Long-Lasting Healing
One of holistic therapy’s most significant advantages is that it often leads to more profound and longer-lasting healing. By treating the root causes of issues, people can experience relief beyond the immediate symptom. This approach encourages a more balanced life where mental, physical, and emotional health all work harmoniously.
Making Holistic Therapy Part of Everyday Life
Integrating holistic practices into daily life doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Small changes, like practising mindfulness for a few minutes daily or making healthy food choices, can make a big difference over time. Additionally, many people find that combining holistic therapies, such as pairing counselling with yoga or mindfulness, creates a sense of inner peace and inner balance.
When health is approached holistically, people often feel more aligned and connected with themselves. They can respond to life’s challenges with greater strength and resilience, enjoying a fuller and more satisfying life.
Willingness takes a comprehensive approach to health, offering therapy, psychological assessments, cognitive behavioural therapy, child psychology, career coaching, and specialised care like physiotherapy and gynaecological services. We aim to address your well-being as a whole with compassionate, tailored support.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue, you can reach out here.
Kyle Xiberras is a counsellor who enjoys working therapeutically with individuals and couples on a range of issues, including stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. He also has experience supporting clients through intimacy and sex-related concerns, drawing on his background as a nurse in surgical and urology departments to provide compassionate, holistic care.
References:
- American Holistic Health Association. (n.d.). What is holistic health? Retrieved from https://ahha.org
- Benson, H., & Klipper, M. Z. (2000). The relaxation response. HarperTorch.
- Chrousos, G. P., & Gold, P. W. (1992). The concepts of stress and stress system disorders. JAMA, 267(9), 1244–1252. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480090092034
- McEwen, B. S. (2008). Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. European Journal of Pharmacology, 583(2-3), 174–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.11.071
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2021). Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: What’s in a name? Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov