Holistic Wellness: Mind, Body and Spirit
General Interest
With a strong focus on the connection between mind, body and spirit, holistic health is more about integrating healthy practices into everyday life, and less about symptoms and illness. From a holistic perspective, health and wellness is centred around living a well-rounded lifestyle, by incorporating physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Noticing our bodies slow down as we age is a huge transition and while some people adjust to these changes easily, others may find it more challenging. Thankfully, there are many holistic approaches to help us find happiness and boost our overall wellbeing in the process. Community-minded Being an active part of the community is one of the pillars of wellness. According to Harvard University, good connections can improve health and increase longevity.
Engaging in healthy, joy-filled relationships in retirement can improve physical and mental wellbeing. Strong social connection is a key factor in overall health, just like adequate sleep and a balanced diet. Being socially connected also helps lower stress levels, which significantly improves cardiac function and reduces morbidity. Studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation in older adults can have serious consequences, with an increased risk of dementia and other medical conditions.
While social engagement is important for all ages, older adults are at increased risk of loneliness and social isolation as they may have lost family or friends and are more likely to live alone, as well as suffer from chronic illness or hearing loss. One of the many benefits of living in a retirement village or care facility is the supportive community it creates, providing plentiful opportunities for socialising and group activities. The holistic approach doesn’t stop at an individual level – if you’re surrounded by happy and healthyminded people, you are more likely to become happier and healthier yourself. Staying active Exercising is another essential element of holistic health. Along with harnessing the power of nature by ensuring plentiful time outdoors, keeping active is one of the most important things to help prevent health challenges as we age. Stretching and strengthening muscles helps ensure independence for longer, and it also helps stave off cognitive decline.
Aside from walking, one of the best forms of exercise for seniors is yoga. Restorative yoga, Hatha yoga and gentle chair yoga are well suited for over 75s. Many yoga poses focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles and improving core stability, which can reduce the risk of falls. It can also reduce anxiety and stress, decrease cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as improve lung capacity and bone density.
An aqua centre has been built at the Ranfurly Village and will be open late 2022. Residents will be able to swim and take part in water-based activities which are excellent for people who suffer from arthritis, joint, and circulation problems. Due to their low-impact nature, many people find that spending time in water helps them with rehabilitation after injury, bone fractures, and joint replacement. Integrative healing Generus Living villages support an integrative model of healing.
Research has shown that aromatherapy helps to align physical, mental and emotional health; and at Ranfurly Hospital in Auckland, it’s one of the many aspects of resident’s emotional health care. The hospital’s Health Services Manager, Julia Nessim, is passionate about holistic wellbeing. Along with her nursing credentials, she is qualified in a range of alternative healing treatments including aromatherapy, flower essences, and massage therapy. She incorporates aromatherapy into resident’s everyday care, such as relaxing hand massages using organic oil blends, helping to reduce’ anxiety levels. There are endless opportunities to ensure holistic wellbeing as we age. Holistic health is an approach to life and living in ways that emphasise the interconnected nature of the mind, body, and spirit.
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