Holistic Health

Begin the conversation by reading the key messages

1. Know your risk of chronic diseases to prevent them.

2. Embrace habits that support health by setting realistic goals and planning.

3. Finding a network of support to keep you motivated, for example, pets can be a part of your network.

You can use this Holistic Health goal sheet (pdf) to help guide the discussion.

Share important information about holistic health

You may have heard the term “holistic health” and have wondered what this word means in terms of your health and wellness. When thinking about your health, holistic health means not only addressing your physical health, but also thinking about your mental, spiritual, and emotional health.  

To stay healthy all around, it's helpful to know your health numbers (such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar) and risks for getting sick. This helps you and your care team decide how to best help you. You can also set small goals, like eating foods that are good for you. Doing things you like, such as spending time with pets, can also make you feel better in your body and mind.

Choose an open-ended question to reflect on food choices

1. What does “healthy” mean to you?

2. How do you measure your health? (listen for answers like feeling tired, high blood pressure, always feeling hungry, feeling sluggish)

3. What parts of your health do you believe need attention?

Come up with ideas for a specific goal

Select a change (ideally goals come from the person, these are just ideas):

• Take your pet for a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood today.

• Tomorrow for dinner I will prepare a new vegetable.

Help make a plan (be specific -- time, day, action -- and start small):

• Visit your medical care team to learn about your numbers and health status.

• Pick one thing that supports eating for health.

• Find an activity to do with your support system that brings you joy.

Assess confidence in meeting the goal

On a scale of 1-10 how confident are you that you can meet your plan?

Close with quotes from what others said about this topic

“I make it a point to do my own home cooking because I live near three fast food restaurants, and I stay away from all of them. It doesn't do my diabetes any good, so I make it a point to cook on my own and it's really, really healthy to cook because it gives me all the vegetables and nutrients I need to keep my A1C in check, and it's flavorful and full of energy.”

“I'm working on my goals or creating a new habit or a lifestyle change, it's helpful for me to have the reminder that it can be two steps forwards, one step back, that when you have setbacks, it's okay, you just keep working towards it. So I thought that was a big metaphor- two steps forward, one step back.”

“Whenever I'm having a bad day or I'm feeling down, just spending some time with my dog, whether just going on a walk or petting her just helps brighten my day a little bit.”