Optimize Your Wellness: 5 Holistic Approaches for Renewal in the New Year
Written by Emma Dasco
Your body carries an innate capacity to renew itself. To shed the old and start anew. To renew is to, “resume an activity or state, perhaps after an interruption; to extend the validity or effectiveness of something; or to restore and replenish.” Physiologically, our tissues renew themselves on a regular basis. For example, the skin constantly renews itself through the shedding of old skin cells and the generation of new ones. And the brain exhibits neuroplasticity, allowing it to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections. In the spirit of the New Year, we often reevaluate and renew our purpose, mindset, and intentions for the year ahead. The body, mind, and spirit all crave renewal as we strain them with stressors, eating patterns, and everyday lifestyle choices. It’s important to take inventory of our behaviors and how they affect the natural renewal process within the body. To resume, restore, and replenish the effectiveness of the body’s innate healing abilities will help to restore optimal health.
To optimize your wellness means to look at the necessary building blocks to enhance your body’s systems. When your mind, emotions, and spirit aren’t harmonious, and especially when they are stressed out, this impacts your physical ability to renew. Your immune system and endocrine system lack the ability to effectively regulate and signal your body to rest and renew in an efficient way. Although the persistent stressors of daily life may not go away anytime soon, you have the power to incorporate small breaks and habits into your daily routine. These pauses and practices serve as reminders of your inherent potential for renewal.
A Nutrient-Rich Diet: This is highly individualized and intuitive. Adopting a well-balanced, whole foods diet rich in protein will encourage nourishment and support optimal functioning.
Quality Sleep: Prioritize a consistent sleep schedule and create a sleep-friendly environment to ensure the body and mind receive adequate rest and rejuvenation. Consider reading before bed instead of scrolling, and getting sunlight exposure in the morning to regulate your circadian rhythms and natural melatonin production.
Journaling: Emotional well-being is just as important as physical. Consider maintaining a journal to express thoughts, feelings, and gratitude. Reflecting on experiences can provide clarity and promote emotional well-being.
Gentle Exercise and Yoga: Movement and yoga will stimulate your lymphatic system helping to flush out toxins and assist the body’s natural detoxification abilities.
Sweat: Sweating and sauna use can promote detoxification through delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells while aiding in the removal of waste products. In addition, sweating can strengthen your immune system support, promote skin rejuvenation, and increase circulation.
These holistic health practices work synergistically to support your overall renewal and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. It's essential to personalize these practices based on your individual preferences and needs. Happy New Year!
Photo by: Josh Hild
