Disciplines of holistic living

These disciplines are interrelated and promote a balanced, interconnected approach to living, focusing on the integration of all aspects of a person’s life—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—for long-term well-being.

  • Mindfulness and Meditation

    Practices that involve focusing the mind, managing stress, and enhancing emotional well-being. Meditation, deep breathing, and mindful awareness are key elements of this discipline.

    Supported by research and practices in psychology and wellness, particularly from sources like the American Psychological Association (APA) and Mindful.org, which emphasize the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for emotional and mental well-being.

  • Nutrition and Diet

    Focusing on eating whole, natural, and nourishing foods that support physical health and vitality. It emphasizes balanced diets, mindful eating, and often organic or plant-based food choices.

    The importance of nutrition in holistic health is grounded in research from organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and wellness experts promoting plant-based or whole food diets, like Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Andrew Weil.

  • Physical Wellness

    Incorporating exercise, movement, and body care into daily life. This can include yoga, Pilates, strength training, stretching, and other forms of physical activity that promote overall health.

    The physical aspect of holistic health is strongly supported by fitness and wellness organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Yoga Alliance, and various health studies that highlight the importance of physical activity for mental and physical well-being.

  • Energy Healing

    Practices such as Reiki, acupuncture, and chakra balancing, which work on the energy field surrounding the body to promote healing and balance.

    Practices like Reiki, acupuncture, and chakra balancing are part of the traditional practices in energy healing, commonly discussed in holistic health circles. While they are not fully supported by mainstream science, they have a long history of use and have been studied for their benefits in various alternative medicine journals and books.

  • Spirituality

    Focusing on personal spiritual growth, connection to a higher power or nature, and finding a deeper sense of purpose or meaning in life. Practices include meditation, prayer, or other spiritual rituals.

    This concept is derived from many spiritual traditions and is often included in holistic health frameworks like Integrative Medicine as proposed by experts such as Dr. Andrew Weil and others who emphasize the mind-body-spirit connection.

  • Personal Growth and Development

    The discipline of self-improvement, which includes emotional healing, therapy, and life coaching. This also includes practices like journaling, goal setting, and reflection for personal transformation.

    Self-improvement is rooted in psychology and therapeutic practices, often supported by research in positive psychologyand cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as by popular authors in personal development such as Tony Robbinsand Brené Brown.

  • Alternative and Complementary Therapies

    Practices that fall outside of conventional medicine, such as aromatherapy, herbal medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, and sound therapy. These include well-known practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and homeopathy.

    They are often cited in journals of complementary and alternative medicine and widely practiced in holistic wellness communities, although scientific evidence may vary.

  • Environmental Well-being

    The practice of creating a balanced, peaceful, and supportive environment, including the use of sustainable, eco-friendly products, reducing environmental stressors, and cultivating a healing space.

    Concepts of creating healing environments and eco-friendly living are supported by studies on biophilic design and sustainability. Resources like the Green Building Council and wellness spaces often highlight this.

  • Community and Social Well-being

    Emphasizing strong, supportive relationships, community connections, and a sense of belonging. This includes collaborative activities, group healing practices, and fostering a collective sense of purpose.

    The importance of community for mental health is supported by social health and community psychology fields. Studies in social wellness indicate that a supportive network is key for both emotional and physical health.

  • Holistic Psychology and Therapy

    A focus on mental health through therapeutic techniques that treat the mind, body, and spirit, integrating practices such as counseling, trauma healing, and somatic therapy.

    Holistic therapy is recognized by various alternative therapy organizations such as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and is part of integrative medicine's holistic approach.