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Most of us can likely agree that we shouldn’t have to go broke in the process of maintaining our health. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that the US is failing to provide all residents with equitable access to quality healthcare. While there are efforts by community health nurses to support members of their communities, this doesn’t address the entire problem.
Prevention is often far preferable to cure, and in this we have the power to take a certain amount of responsibility for our own good health. Often a more holistic approach to our wellbeing is the most effective preventative. That’s not to say that this should be confused with alternative medicine — traditional medicine combined with healthy lifestyle choices is very much the key here.
The responsible holistic approach also encourages working intelligently with healthcare providers. Guidance from professionals will compliment our personal efforts to improve our health. We’ll take a look at some of the ways in which we can all take smarter, more affordable care of ourselves and our families.
Physical Health
The physical aspect of our healthcare is often forefront in our minds — it’s often much more obvious when we get sick due to physical symptoms. Equally, staving off sickness can rely on how we treat our bodies as a whole. Whether we are at peak physical fitness, or suffering from injuries, we must also remain conscious of how well we are currently functioning.
Certainly, it’s important to have a balanced diet, but we can also educate ourselves on foods that actively prevent chronic illnesses and promote good joint health. There are also those that reduce the risk of long-term disease. This needn’t be expensive; families on a budget can introduce healthy elements to their meals, which also prevents further expense due to doctor’s bills. Even certain herbs and spices such as turmeric and oregano have anti-inflammatory properties. The addition of these can, in turn, prevent chronic inflammation, which has been linked to heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers.
Exercise, too, is a basic tenet of holistic health, but it needs to be approached intelligently. We must take into account our age, our physical ability, and any current health issues. Not all physical exercise needs to involve gym equipment, and it’s wise to start off slowly. Our community nurses are excellent resources here. They will be able to offer advice on the types of exercise and dietary approaches which are appropriate for our physical condition.
Mental and Emotional Health
Our holistic health is equally dependent on elements which aren’t always visible. The whole body approach to mental health takes into account more than the medicines we might take during periods of illness or crisis. There is also a focus on our day-to-day state of mind. Remember, too, that our physical condition can in turn affect our ability to function cognitively, and vice versa.
Often, the holistic approach revolves around mindfulness, and developing a greater awareness of our mental state. This means that it’s valuable to take moments each day to check in with ourselves; emotionally, mentally, spiritually. But it’s also useful for recognizing patterns and triggers that signal less mentally healthy periods. There is also scope to find personal solutions to challenging periods, such as daily meditation practice, getting occasional acupuncture, participating in the arts, and fostering your creativity.
This should not discount the important expertise offered by professionals, of course. There are holistic health therapies available in many locations, but it is usually recommended that these are supported by psychiatrists, therapists, or mental health nurses. As part of our whole body wellbeing, it can also be useful to include mental health as part of our regular checkups with a general practitioner.
Dialogue with Providers
A holistic approach to our health takes into account every aspect of our wellbeing — mind, body, spirit. By the same token, a holistic approach to our care can benefit from the collaboration of our providers. Coordinated, regular check ups with each of these providers can keep us healthy and even allow the recognition of signs of approaching illness at the earliest opportunity.
Integrated care services allow practitioners across different disciplines to share data about our health with each other. For example, keeping a dental surgeon informed about cardiovascular history can affect the quality of care. Their knowledge of past health problems means that allowances can be made for an effective level of antibiotics to be prescribed following surgery. When a health professional can see the entire picture, they can make holistically apt decisions.
The same goes for preventative care. Dentists may find oral signs that suggest increased stress, sleep disorders, or even heart disease. We must be open with our providers, and engage in a frank, informative dialogue on a regular basis. There are steps we can personally take for our holistic wellbeing, but this can be enhanced by the input of experts.
Aside from the pain and inconvenience of illness, healthcare costs can be prohibitively expensive for many working families. The whole body, holistic, and integrated care approach can provide budget-conscious solutions that can help prevent chronic illness and long-term disease. However, it is always important to remember that this approach benefits from the input and guidance of healthcare experts.
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