Whole health? What's that?

It happens every time.

“I want to get better, but only if it’s easy.”

“I just want something to fix the symptoms.”

We all want to get better when we’re sick. It’s only natural to try and fix the problem by only addressing the symptoms. But what we’re missing is the whole picture. We forget that health is a whole body process. We get sick or become in pain because something in our bodies is off. When all we do is mask the problem, things inevitably get worse. What we need to start doing is take a step back.

So start by asking yourself basic questions. We’ll go back to being a two year old, asking why and trying to figure out the answer to everything that puzzles us. Which is a lot, if you’re only two.

Okay, let’s start. “I’m two. I don’t know how things work. I don’t know anything. Why does my tummy hurt all the time?”

Why am I sick? Am I eating bad things? Am I drinking enough water? What are the good things? What is enough water? Exercise? But exercising is hard, I don’t want to do that! (Voice getting progressively more whiny)

Now really, these are the things we need to ask ourselves. Things people have stopped asking because medicines like tylenol and advil are so readily available to mask any problems we may experience.

The first question I ask people when they come to me for herbs is “How much water do you drink?” I’m sure you know the answer. “Well, there’s water in beer right?” Or, the already guilty admission “Probably not enough, I know”.

Whole health starts at the basics. The things we learn when we’re two, and quickly forget as we get older. My stomach hurts after I eat dairy. Well, the obvious answer is don’t eat dairy. Drinking water, eating healthy foods, these answers should be just as obvious.

So we’re going to start with the obvious. Drink water. This means keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day. It’s true when they say you shouldn’t ever get thirsty. You should be hydrated enough that you never really get thirsty.

Next obvious: Eat healthy. This does not mean only eat kale and oats every day until the day you die. Everything in moderation is key. You want some deep fried bacon? You go right ahead. Ice cream sundae? Oh yes. Does this mean deep fried bacon every day with ice cream for dessert? You know that’s not right. Have a balanced diet every day. But absolutely do not deprive yourself of the only good tasting things in life like beer and cheesecake. There are studies that show the people who eat a healthy diet and drink enough water actually don’t crave junk food like people who don’t eat healthy. Your body craves what it needs. Listen to it. When you don’t is when you get sick.

Okay. You’re sick. You feel it coming on. Maybe you just don’t feel as alert as you normally do in the morning. Maybe you’re getting constant headaches.

Step back and really ask yourself basic questions. Did I get enough sleep? Did I drink enough water?

Whole health means taking care of your whole body, not just the symptoms. Take care of your physical and mental well-being and you will feel better before you even get sick.