When it comes to your personal health and wellness practice, it’s important to do your research. Not everything you read online is legit. Alternative health expert George Stavrou explains why holistic and preventative measures can be ultra beneficial to the areas you’re lacking. If you want a balanced life, you have to consider optimal health in the grand scheme of things.
“What is Optimal Health?”
There seems to be an answer for everything. All you have to do is hop online or just ask Siri. However, when it comes to your health—you can’t risk being misled with bad information.
Over the past 25 years, I have dedicated my life to helping people achieve optimal wellness through alternative practices. It’s been a huge part of my purpose ever since graduating high school and dealing with my own personal challenges with health and fitness goals.
That’s why I wanted to write this piece for the RedLily™ audience. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about how to achieve “overall wellness” or optimal health that I find disturbing. And, I want to help.
In fact, I know first-hand that despite how much information is out there—most people are still searching for answers from reputable sources. So, before we begin, I want you to know that I write this article from a place of authenticity and genuine caring for people to live longer and healthier.
What is optimal health?
Everyone has a different view on what it means to be healthy and/or live your best life. That’s why it’s important to understand the meaning of optimal health and how it relates to your life. We also need to keep in mind that as we age, our definition of optimal health can change.
By definition, optimal health means not merely the absence of disease, but being at your best and having balance in many different areas of your life.
For example, as a teenager your vision of optimal health may have been to be as fit and strong as possible with little regard for flexibility. However, now that you are getting older, your focus has shifted to balance of strength, cardio levels, flexibility, and agility.
In my practice, I work with a lot of women who juggle work and a family. I know it’s a really tough job figuring out the perfect balancing act, so I applaud every woman for setting such a wonderful example for our children and the community.
I also know that most women are looking for more out of their lives then they are getting. They want more than just the ability to lose a few pounds or lower their cholesterol numbers. It’s my belief that you can have more. Let me tell you how.
If you want to achieve optimal wellness—you need to take holistic and preventative measures. For instance, most of us believe that two of the most important ingredients to achieving overall wellness are exercise and nutrition. But, here’s the kicker… Exercise and proper food intake will not help you achieve health in all areas of your life. I’m not saying they’re not important; they are only baby steps.
Generally speaking, Western society tends to compartmentalize things. Eastern society tends to treat people as a whole (holistically). In other words, if you go to your doctor and complain of a physical ailment like a migraine headache—more often than not, they will only treat the physical symptoms and prescribe a pain killer.
In my opinion, when we look at individuals as a whole—we are on the path to holistic health. Most GPs today don’t look at the issue as a smaller part of a whole.
But, don’t just take my word for it.
A good friend of mine, nutrition expert Dr. Eric Serrano, says that the best cure for any major illness (such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure) is to not get it in the first place. Sure, this might seem very harsh, but in fact it’s true
Let me explain.
Researchers say approximately 80 percent of heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases cases, and 40% of cancers, can be prevented by reducing stress, maintaining a healthy diet, physical exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
So, when it comes to furthering your opportunity to live longer, avoid illness, and prevent health issues, this supports the notion of adopting a more holistic and preventative approach early in life. There are many ways to do this of course, but it all depends on the individual and what their specific needs are. That’s where I can help!
Next, want to find out exactly how to achieve overall balance in your life? Read the “Six Pillars to Holistic and Preventative Health“.
About the Author: George Stavrou is the owner/president of The Stavrou Method, and a best-selling author. He is also the creator of ‘The Stavrou Method: A 12 Week Day by Day Guide to Health, Wellness and Fat Loss for All Levels.’ He can be reached at www.thestavroumethod.com
Editors’ note: Are you a health and wellness expert with a heartfelt message to share? Email us at [email protected] with your interests and how you might be able to help our readers.
