Holistic Health: Common Questions and Practical First Steps

Holistic health is an approach that considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—in the pursuit of well-being.  In today’s fast-paced world, many people are asking more profound questions about their health. Traditional models are often not well-equipped to address these questions. This guide offers practical insights into holistic care, inviting you to explore what it might look like to bring balance into your life, one step at a time.

What is Holistic Health?

Holistic health is a way of understanding well-being that looks at the whole person: their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual patterns. A holistic health practitioner asks not only "What’s wrong? " but also "What's needed for balance to return?"

Instead of focusing on one issue, holistic care considers how various aspects of life interact with one another. For example, a person struggling with low energy may benefit from nutritional support, regular movement, improved sleep, and meaningful connections.

If you’re feeling stressed, depleted, or simply disconnected from yourself, learning about holistic health can be a meaningful first step. It's about tuning in, asking the right questions, and making space for your whole self to come into alignment.

Natural landscapes around us can invite peace, relaxation, and reflection.

Common Questions About Holistic Health

How Do I Get Started with Holistic Health?

Beginning can feel uncertain, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Start by tuning in:

1. Reflect: What parts of your life feel out of sync—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually?

2. Explore: Learn about practices like mindfulness, movement, breathwork, or nutrition. Try what feels accessible and notice how your body responds.

3. Start Small: Choose one or two areas to focus on. Even small shifts—like walking in nature or drinking more water—can create real momentum.

4. Reach Out: Support matters. If you're not sure where to begin, consider speaking with a healthcare provider who combines both traditional and holistic approaches. The right guide will help you reconnect with yourself, not just treat your symptoms.

   
   

Can Holistic Health Help with Mental Wellness?

Yes. Holistic health is especially supportive for those navigating anxiety, burnout, or low mood—not as a cure-all, but as a framework that honors the full picture.

• Mindfulness: Regular practice creates space for calm and insight, even in challenging moments.

• Movement: Gentle activity supports emotional release, improves sleep, and helps regulate the nervous system.

• Nutrition: What we eat affects how we feel. Certain nutrients—like omega-3s, magnesium, and B vitamins—can support emotional balance.

  
  

These are not quick fixes, but they are tools. When used with intention, they can help create the conditions for healing and growth.

A calming meditation area can promote mindfulness and relaxation.

Is Holistic Health Expensive?

It doesn’t have to be.

Holistic health isn’t about expensive supplements or elaborate retreats. At its core, it’s about tuning in, making intentional choices, and creating space to care for your whole self. Many meaningful practices are low-cost—or free.

• Start with What You Have: Journaling, breathwork, stretching, time in nature, cooking a simple meal—these are all acts of holistic care.

• Explore Local Resources: Many communities offer free or low-cost classes, walking groups, meditation circles, or wellness events. If you're in Manitoba, a quick check of community boards or libraries can uncover hidden gems.

• Use What’s Online (Wisely): The internet is full of guided meditations, body-based practices, and information. Choose sources that feel thoughtful and grounded.

  
  

You might choose to invest in a class, a therapist, or a retreat, and that can be a meaningful experience. But the deeper investment is your time, your attention, your willingness to show up for yourself. Not just in big, sweeping gestures, but most importantly, in small, steady ways: how you breathe, how you listen, how you care for your body, your mind, your spirit. That’s where holistic wellness begins.

Myths About Holistic Health

There are a few common misconceptions about holistic health that can get in the way of people exploring it. Let’s clear a few of them up:

• Myth 1: Holistic health is anti-medical.

  Not true. Holistic care doesn’t reject medicine—it expands the conversation. It’s about understanding the full context of a person’s health, including what’s happening physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. There’s room for both approaches. Often, they work best together.

  Myth 2: You have to change your whole life.

  You don’t. Small shifts matter. Even one thoughtful practice, like taking a quiet walk each evening or pausing before a meal, can create meaningful ripple effects. Holistic health isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness and alignment.

  Myth 3: It’s not scientific.

  Many holistic practices are supported by research, particularly in areas such as mindfulness, nutrition, and the mind-body connection. Science is catching up to what many people have known through lived experience: that our systems are deeply interconnected.

  
  

Practical Tips for a Holistic Lifestyle

Holistic health becomes real in the small choices we make each day. It requires a willingness to notice what helps you feel more grounded, connected, and whole. Here are a few starting points. Try choosing one or two starters and see how it affects you.

• Build Simple Rituals: A stretch in the morning. A moment of stillness before bed. A cup of tea without distraction. Small rhythms can bring a sense of steadiness to the day.

• Limit Screen Time: Even a brief break from technology can help soothe the nervous system. Try setting boundaries around when and how often you check your phone or scroll through social media.

• Be with Nature: You don’t have to leave the city (or town). Step outside. Breathe the air. Let your senses come alive. Nature has a way of reminding us what balance feels like.

• Nurture Connection: Make time for the people who help you feel seen and supported—and offer the same in return. Relationships remind us that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. A shared laugh, a walk together, or simply showing up can be powerful medicine

• Stay Curious: Read, listen, reflect. There's wisdom in learning how your body responds, what soothes your spirit, and what brings clarity to your mind.

  
  

There’s no competition, and no finish line here—only opportunities to align with what truly nourishes you.

A serene garden provides a peaceful refuge for reflection and relaxation.

Resources for Your Holistic Health Journey

You don’t have to figure everything out at once. There are many ways to explore holistic wellness, and the right starting point will depend on your needs, values, and current place in life. Here are a few places you might begin:

• Local Mental Health & Wellness Services: If you live in Manitoba, the Shared Health Mental Wellness Resource Finder is a helpful tool. It connects you with services across the province—from peer support to clinical care.

• Books & Articles: Many people find value in authors like Gabor Maté, who write about the links between stress, trauma, and healing. If you prefer evidence-based resources, there are also open-access journal articles on topics like mindfulness, somatic practices, and integrative health models. Sometimes a single idea or perspective can open a new path.

• Professional Support: Holistic care encompasses a diverse range of practitioners. If you're unsure where to begin or how to choose, connecting with someone who can help you map out your options can be a meaningful first step.

  
  

  Psychiatric nurses are trained to understand the health system and to work from a holistic model of care, considering the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of well-being. If that kind of support feels aligned with where you are, I am available to walk alongside you.

Holistic health encompasses more than just strategies. It’s about relationship—with your body, your values, your story, and the world around you. It’s a way of noticing, responding, and returning to what feels true.

If you're seeking support or simply curious about where to begin, I’m here. My practice is grounded in both psychiatric nursing and holistic care, and I’d be happy to help you find your footing.

Written by Maria Kent, RPN (MB), MPN — a holistic psychiatric nurse based in Manitoba, passionate about integrating mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.