A Guide to the Holistic Aspect of Green and Healthy Living
Welcome to “the virtuous cycle”.
We’ve all heard of vicious cycles and how they work. A classic example is the situation where someone is stressed at work, then eats too much or perhaps drinks alcohol as a coping mechanism, that leads to other unhealthy habits and sooner or later make the stress worse.
A virtuous cycle, on the other hand, is one that passes only well-being. Think for example of regular exercise. Exercise puts us more in touch with our bodies’ food requirements. In turn this makes us crave natural, healthy, (and more likely organic) food than high fat, added sugar processed options. The better diet leads to a trimmer, healthier body – which makes us more likely to feel a sense of well-being. The exercise and the healthy diet work together and each is improved in quality by the presence of the other.
Adding holistic elements to a healthy lifestyle.
One aspect that is often left out when we think about lifestyle is the mind itself. While there’s no doubt among health experts that healthy eating and a good amount of physical activity are often contributors to a mentally healthy state, (yes, exercise really is a stress destroyer!). there’s still more we can do.
One example of another activity to add to our day to day set of healthy behaviors is mindfulness meditation. While it might on the surface sound like mindfulness meditation could be of those health fads that occasionally surfaces (then disappears again) in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Mindfulness doesn’t involve signing up to anything. It is recommended by health professionals for mental well-being.
1. It is also easy to learn. It doesn’t cost anything. And even more interestingly, studies have shown that it’s linked with positive changes in the brain.
2. A recent article on the AXA PPP (UK health insurance provider) site entitled “Are you in need of an alternative therapy” quotes psychotherapist Dr Andrew Reeves who describes mindfulness as “a tool kit for living how you are and being more self-accepting”.
Putting it all together
When you look at the science, there’s no argument that food from organic farming systems can differ nutritionally from its non-organic equivalent. The surprise is just how much more nutritious it can be. According to the Soil Association, we’re talking a massive 68% more healthy omega 3s in milk from organic farms.
So, ensuring that as much of your food is s healthy and organic as possible is a great place to start with the holistic aspect to health. After all, food is our source of energy – pretty much the starting point for any health regime.
The first step is:
- To take a step back – and then look at lifestyle from a vantage point where it’s possible to see where the improvements can be made.
- Healthy eating (lots of organic fruit and veg in place of processed stuff) means more energy and feeling better.
- More energy means feeling more ready to exercise. And exercise also means feeling healthier and better – as well as craving healthier foods.
- Add in mindfulness and actively staying mentally healthy – and you have the recipe for potentially great success.
Written by Pia from EcoLover.co.uk – She hopes to spread the Eco vibe that come from
living in Brighton.
Sources:1- NHS Choices – Mindfulness for mental wellbeing
2-Huffington Post – Mindfulness Meditation Linked With Positive Brain Changes, Study Suggests
