Achieving Holistic Health – Advice on Life, Love and Wellness From Kristin Armstrong

Dear Kristin, What are your favorite ways to exercise and stay healthy? In addition to meditation, what else do you find grounding and calming? Have you tried any wellness modalities that you have made part of your regular routine? — Jennifer

Dearest Jennifer,
I’m so happy to hear from you about wellness, one of my favorite subjects, for good reason. If we aren’t healthy, it doesn’t really matter what our other life goals are because we can’t accomplish them or enjoy the journey towards them. 

It is important to consider the subject of wellness as a holistic one — the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of being. Most people look at physical health and overlook the rest, then wonder why they still don’t feel better. I will respond to your question by addressing each of these essential areas.

Before you embark on any new physical health plan, it is so important to see your doctor, not just to make sure you can safely push yourself with exercise, but to get an overall picture of the health of your body. This means getting a panel of bloodwork to check your thyroid and other hormone levels, your bone density, your cortisol levels, and get a heart scan, etc. If your results are off, you may work very diligently on your fitness, good sleep, and nutrition habits and notice zero results, which would be totally disheartening. A complete physical assessment is a great place to begin. 

My favorite exercises include running, trail running, hiking, walking, yoga, and lifting weights. It is important to combine cardio exercise with strength training, so we don’t lose muscle in an effort to lose pounds. The simplest nutrition advice is — eat more protein, drink less alcohol, and drink more water. The simplest fitness advice is to move your body — do something you love. If you love it, you will feel like you “get to” do it rather than “have to” do it. That makes all the difference in the world in terms of consistency. 

Mental health is all about mindset. Do you feel positive, hopeful, and excited about your life? Are you working with a therapist or coach? Are you learning new things? Are you actively rewiring limiting beliefs? Are you feeling open and creative? Do you feel a sense of purpose and meaning?

Emotional health is all about the heart. Do you feel open and connected to your emotions? Do you feel regulated more often than dysregulated? Do you feel a sense of safety, belonging, and connection in your relationships? Do you love yourself and let others love you?  

Spiritual health is all about alignment. Do you feel connected to a source bigger than yourself? Do you feel able to access peace or wisdom when you need it? What are the practices that make you feel aligned, centered, and grounded? 

Meditation, time in nature, somatic breathwork, cold plunges, yoga, journaling, mindfulness, gratitude practices, intentions, affirmations, and prayer are excellent practices for creating spiritual alignment. I am a huge believer in the power of energy, as it is the essence of everything from physical form to thought. Energy work by a Reiki practitioner can help unblock stuck energy and open us to new insights and possibilities. 

By attending to elements in each of the areas of being, we can create powerful momentum for transformation and optimized wellness. All of these areas work together systemically, in synchronicity and wholeness. Hopefully, this will help you conceptualize your best path to feeling exactly how you want to feel, in your being and in your life.

With so much love,
Kristin

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Kristin Armstrong has been sharing personal insights with readers of TRIBEZA magazine for 20 years. Her writings have included captivating stories of love, well-being, motherhood, relationships, self-worth, finding courage and building confidence. Kristin’s stories have sparked inspiration for so many readers. This year, Kristin is opening up a dialogue with all of you! Ask your questions here.