While focusing on a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating right is great for your body, balanced living means considering all aspects of your life: relationships, health, and emotional well-being.

The five aspects of Holistic Health include:

• Emotional: your feelings, emotions, reactions, and ability to cope with the challenges of life.

• Physical: nutrition, sleep, movement.

• Spiritual: your meaning, values, the ability to discover purpose in your life.

• Mental: cognitive abilities, brain function.

• Social: your relationships, community involvement, how you relate to others.

Begin by becoming aware of your habits. Do you notice you are in a better mood when you get 8 hours of sleep each night? Do you experience less headaches and better concentration when you stay hydrated and take time each week to de-stress? Holistic health focuses on determining the root cause rather than treating the symptom. Focusing on sustainable eating changes, regular activity, social support and self-compassion is a great way to achieve a healthy lifestyle across the lifespan. Determine which area of Holistic Health is most important to you and start by gradually building on your healthy habits overtime.