New Age Health, Healing and Wellness Buzzwords: What Do They Mean to You?

Of all the popular “new age” search terms in the health and healing category, my personal favorite is holistic healing. This term, it seems, embodies all the others, such as spiritual healing, soul healing, healing meditation, chakra, energy healing, spiritual journey, and metaphysics. Some of these terms are specific methodologies like Chakra and guided meditation, while others are just general expressions of adopting a way of thinking beyond the realm of materialism. The popularity of these search terms is a clear indication that hundreds of thousands of people are taking charge of their health and exploring possibilities beyond conventional medicine, which primarily seeks to eradicate disease through cutting, sewing, burning, radiation and toxic chemicals. Of course, there are many benefits, and people cannot afford to turn their backs on treatment opportunities in the standard healthcare system, but there are many viable add-ons and alternatives.

However, the emphasis here is that holistic healing focuses on you, the consumer who takes charge and is responsible for your health. Begin by understanding that you are much more than just a skin bag of cells, tissues, and organs, and that your goal is to be well; not just to be disease free. Thus you come to understand that you are a person with body, mind and spirit, all functioning as a single inseparable unit, so that each consideration has its impact on the whole being. Therefore, our well-being depends on the thought, speech, and action of ourselves and everyone else involved in our lives.

In conclusion, the basis for a healthy life is in how you think, what you say and what you do. Each decision is simply an answer to the question, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” Well-being generally requires being able to put off the desire for instant gratification and strive to maintain self-discipline. Healing requires seeking information about the existing or potential health problem and leaving all options open when discussing recommended solutions which should always include some lifestyle adjustments. Therefore, true holistic healing is to abandon the notion that “the doctor knows best” and take responsibility for yourself by learning, evaluating and deciding.