Health is multi-dimensional and interconnected

Health is multidimensional and interconnected. Being healthy is beyond the food that's on our plate. It is also about the air we breathe, love in our heart, amount of exercise, meaningful work, spiritual practice and so on. Food not only provides nourishment to our body, but also nourishes our mind and soul.

Here's how Integrative Nutrition perceives health's multi-dimensional and interconnected nature:

Primary Food: Integrative Nutrition introduces the concept of "primary food," acknowledging that the nourishment we receive from sources other than food profoundly impacts our health. Relationships, career satisfaction, physical activity, and spirituality are among the primary foods that feed our soul. These elements are interconnected, as stress from work or strained relationships can manifest as physical health issues.

Bio-individuality: Recognizing the uniqueness of each person, Integrative Nutrition appreciates that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. Genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and personal preferences all play a role in determining the right diet and lifestyle for an individual. This individualized approach reflects the interconnectedness of our bodies and personal circumstances.

Food as Medicine: Integrative Nutrition underscores the healing power of food. It highlights that a balanced, whole-foods-based diet can prevent illness and promote well-being. Furthermore, it encourages mindful eating and listening to our body's cues, recognizing that the way we consume food influences our overall health.

Gut-Brain connection: This holistic approach acknowledges the intimate connection between the gut and the brain. A healthy gut microbiome positively affects mental health, while emotional well-being can impact digestive health. It illustrates the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, emphasizing that one can profoundly affect the other.

Lifestyle factors: Integrative Nutrition considers various lifestyle factors, such as sleep, exercise, and stress management, as interconnected aspects of health. These factors influence each other, affecting our energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. The harmony between them is crucial for optimal health.

Mind, body and heart connection: The connection of the body, mind and heart is a beautiful complex system. Interplay of physiology, thoughts, and feelings deeply affect our health and wellbeing. Suppression of emotions creates an energy that is transferred to our cells and starts to rewire our neurons and cells in a way that is not physically noticeable initially but after some time manifests in the form of a physical symptom. Most chronic illnesses are influenced by a worn-out nervous system and suppressed emotions over long periods of time.

In our fast-paced lives today, we are generally over demanding of our body/mind and push it too hard until it breaks down. There is no downtime. We tend to go on and on even when our body gives us signals that it needs attention. We tend to whack it with a drug only to see the disease popping up somewhere else or in some other form.

We need to notice when the symptoms arise and address the root cause of the disease, whether it is a headache, obesity, arthritis, hair fall, fatty liver, digestion issues, PMS,

PCOS, depression, anxiety and the list goes on. Most of the root causes can be addressed by filling our nutritional gaps and creating a balance in our lifestyle by including nutritious home cooked meals, engaging in physical activity, doing fulfilling work, having a spiritual practice, fostering healthy and supporting relationships.

Health coaches can be of great support in helping us make such healthier choices and be accountable to. Health coaches are the link between information and transformation. They can help us understand what’s going on and help execute actionable steps for long term wellness. They also cater to our bio individuality. It means that each person has unique needs and different aspects of their lifestyle need to be addressed for long term sustainable wellness.

During my coaching conversations with my clients over three/six months, both of us explore in a safe space those unique mind, body and heart connections and interplay. We bring awareness, implement many tiny, practical, and sustainable changes which eventually lead to long term well-being.

Health is a journey and not a destination. It is taking small attainable steps and enjoying the process. Biggest breakthroughs come from a series of small steps that add up to big changes in the long term. When we do that our body and mind have the capacity to heal itself and restore equilibrium.

Integrative nutrition and Ayurveda emphasize that our well-being is influenced by a multitude of factors, including our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

By recognizing and nurturing these interconnected aspects, individuals can achieve a state of holistic health and vitality. These holistic systems emphasize the importance of balance, individualized approaches, and mindful living to attain and maintain optimal health.