A Holistic View on Health

Learn the importance of focusing on your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

When you think of health, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably your physical health — if you feel ill, have a stomachache, a migraine, a bum knee or if you’re feeling well and pain-free. But what about your mental health? And your spiritual health?

In reality, we can’t compartmentalize health. Our health encompasses so much more than our physical being, and that’s why I like to look at health from a holistic perspective. While physical health is of utmost importance, our mind and our spirits are easily overlooked and underestimated. Everything we consume mentally, spiritually and physically affects our well-being.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience on this planet. Our physical bodies are not who we are — our spiritual selves, or our souls, are. No matter what happens to your physical body, nothing can touch your soul.

How to Incorporate Holistic Health Practices Into Each Day

Holistic health is about wholeness and community. As a personal-trainer-turned-life-coach, I see holistic health as a lifestyle vs. focusing on quick fixes and short-term goals. I look at a person’s full life and what could be causing stress or toxicity, and I help guide them toward a daily mindfulness practice so they are mentally, spiritually and physically able to maintain harmony and detox negative influences in every area of life.

Because I see physical, mental and spiritual awareness as an interconnected path, I try to make sure I nourish each of these areas daily. For instance, when I rise — before I touch my social media, answer emails or do anything else — I:

1. Hydrate to nourish my physical body
2. Pray and meditate to honor my mental and spiritual elements
3. Practice yoga, which is the immersion of all three: mental, spiritual and physical

How do you start your day? Do you immediately hop on Instagram, check your emails, turn on the news and chug coffee? If so, I highly recommend trying a new approach to your mornings so that you consume less toxicity from the outside world. Why?

1. For mental health, it’s important to have a positive mindset and learn to create affirmations for yourself when doubt and negativity creep in.
2. For spiritual health, it’s important to meditate daily for at least 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes before bed to connect with your soul for divine guidance, stress relief and healing despite outside influences.
3. For physical health, it’s important to move your body for at least 30 minutes daily, activating every organ and cell for optimal health and vitality. It’s also important to follow a plant-based nutrition plan and eliminate processed and toxic food.

Yes, a change in your routine takes commitment in order to become a new habit. And you might even slip up a few times as your old habits will be hard to break. But do your best to schedule time with yourself to start each day, and stick to it the best you can. You’ll be surprised how quickly and profoundly these new habits positively affect your day.

Could your strength and stamina use a boost? Are you looking for ways to better connect your mind and body? Let Koya Webb — an internationally recognized yoga teacher, holistic health coach, author, speaker and vegan activist — be your guide. She’s partnered with Oxygen to create Wellness Warrior Workout, an exclusive six-week program that includes progressive workouts, weekly guided yoga flows, guided meditations, breathwork and mindfulness prompts. Plus, she’s sharing more than a dozen of her favorite plant-based recipes. Sign up today!