Healthy Holistic Hacks For Your Extra Time at Home: Holistic Healthcare

It is a GREAT day to be alive!  Beyond the chaos, the world is FULL of opportunity right now like never before.  There’s never been a time where we had more access to empowering information than we do today and more importantly, more time to act on that information.  Seize the moment!

I am writing this in the middle of the Coronavirus chaos when schools are cancelled, restaurants are closed and many people are working from home.  But regardless of when you are reading this, these alternative healthcare tips can be used anytime you have unexpected time on your hands.

This is for sure NOT my typical post full of science, research and what to do.  This is more of a giant list of positive things you can do for your health, family and life, with the extra time on your hands.

Use this week(s) to transform your life… Don’t waste this precious time.  We all have our list of things to do that have been there forever.  We deem them important, but “fires” keep coming up that grab our attention. But now that these “fires” have stopped, what else is there to distract you from your to-do list?  On another note, this might be a time for you to rest, process and heal. That counts as IMPORTANT STUFF TO DO as well!

The “Thirteen Life-Changing Ways to use Your Extra Time at Home” (see below) apply to everyone, but they will be especially helpful for those of you who are plagued by fear, worry and anxiety right now as well as those of you who are struggling to get focused since your usual routine has been totally changed.  Getting yourself actively engaged in doing good– good for you, good for your family, good for your church/God, good for your neighbor. Just don’t sit alone in the anxiety…There is always hope!

All of these things have either a direct or indirect positive impact on your health.  At first glance you might ask yourself why I, as a holistic healthcare practitioner, would be even mentioning some of these (what does cleaning out closets have to do with health?)… But that’s exactly the point in holistic healthcare: I look at each client as a whole person.  There is so much more to your health than just diet and exercise.  I have seen countless clients make diet changes that were helpful, but so often their quantum leap came when they addressed emotional blockages, stress, physical interference fields and many other non-food related aspects of their life.  Don’t get me wrong, food is key to optimum health; however it’s only one important aspect of the big picture. 

Holistic Healthcare | Thirteen Life-Changing Ways to Use Your Extra Time at Home:

1. Walk:  Walk in your yard; walk to the park; walk to connect with your family or friends; walk in the woods; walk to a friend or neighbor’s house; do a prayer walk; walk to run a nearby errand; walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash (use a picker and gloves); do a phone call or meeting over a walk; walk while listening to a podcast or audiobook (time flies when you do this).

Walking is gentle, moves your lymphatic fluid, burns calories, lubricates your joints and improves breathing.  Specifically, walking in fresh air is a great way to reduce stress as well.  It doesn’t cost anything and you can pretty much do it from anywhere.  If it’s cold or rainy, bundle up but still get out there!  No one ever said, “I should have stayed in and not taken that walk!”

2. Minimize: Declutter. Make 4 bags or boxes labeled “sell,” “donate,” “recycle,” and of course “trash”; go through closets, nightstands, drawers, bookshelves, cabinets, basement, storage area, purse, gym bag, toy box, pantry, linen closet, car (dash, trunk, glove compartment), storage unit, etc.

When you get rid of things and just have less to deal with, it can be helpful to your mind/spirit, schedule and overall energy.  Just think: you will never again have to move/maintain/clean/store/etc. that item.  Now you have more time to do the things you love most!  A clear mind is better able to make healthy decisions and is more motivated to keep moving forward toward your goals.

3. Clean and sanitize:  Clean out the refrigerator, clean out the cupboards, clean your desk/work space, clean a corner of your room for quiet time/meditation/reading… and don’t forget about disinfecting door handles, cell phones, keyboards, cupboard and fridge pulls/handles, wash your sheets and pillows, and wash the throw blankets on your sofa.

This has 2 purposes.  First, although we don’t need to “panic clean” as if our lives depended on it, it is a good time and a good reminder to do occasional deep cleaning.  It’s safer, helps you breathe cleaner air, and just over all feels good to be in a clean space.  Also, cleaning and organizing makes you more productive.  If you’re more productive, thus getting more done in less time, you have more time to spend on things that enrich your future such as exercise, playing with your kids and reading life-changing books (to name a few).

4. Self-care:  Go to bed early, meditate, journal, do a castor oil pack, skin brush, exercise, do yoga, stretch, use foam rollers, take an epsom salt bath, time on an inversion table, coffee enemas, deep breathing exercise, bare feet in the grass/sand (the earth provided an abundant supply of negative ions which decrease inflammation), allow yourself to rest, cry if you need to, think or journal your way through an emotional challenge.  Following these holistic health tips can be your first steps to get healthy now.

Self-care is NOT selfish.  If you don’t care for yourself, it’s going to be really hard to be the best you can be at your job, as a spouse, parent, student, etc.  Taking time to re-fuel your mind, body and spirit are nourishing and worth the effort.

5. Personal development/Education:  Read, listen to good podcasts, watch inspiring documentaries (Forks Over Knives, Food Inc, The Game Changers, Raw for 30, Food Stamped, Super Size Me, etc.), study/research, review home study courses that you may have previously gone through, memorize a special verse, quote or fact that inspires you, learn more about how to be better in one of your roles as an employee/spouse/parent/club member/etc., set goals, create a vision board, think, dream and journal.

On the other side of this Coronavirus, you could be a totally different person.  Being different isn’t just about a short-term physical change (like losing a few pounds), it’s about new neurons firing and wiring together in your brain because of a total mindset shift. You could be more educated, inspired and committed to getting more life out of life.  Think about how this will change not only your life, but also the lives of all those around you who are watching.  You don’t have to spend all day on these things.  Carve out 1 hour or even 15 minutes each day to feed your dreams.  You are here for a reason.  Go after it!

6. Exercise: Run, walk, dance, yoga, push ups, planks, exercise videos, stretching, play basketball or other sports, play tag with your kids/grandkids.

Again, you have time perhaps now that you haven’t had in a while.  Don’t worry about a 3 month program– just get moving this week!  It could be an hour each day or perhaps just 10 minutes three times/day.  Enlist others to join you.  A simple “push up challenge” or “plank challenge” could be just what your family needs to reignite your new commitment to health.

7. Write (preferably on paper, not on your computer): Write an article, write a blog post, journal how you feel, make a gratitude list, write a letter (a real one that you put in the mail box).

There is much research about how writing positively impacts the brain.  We all have something to say.  Maybe you have a book inside you… or a blog post… or a unique perspective on something… or perhaps you are just really good at something and people are always asking for your help/thoughts/advice.  Write about it.  Share it.  Share it on social media or on a website or with a friend or neighbor or group of people at work, church or school.  You feel good because you were able to get your thoughts on paper… This can be therapeutic (journaling or telling your story) or it could just make you feel great because you are helping people.  The readers will feel great to have your information.  I tend to write on 2 things: One, of course, things I am passionate about and two, things that I am asked about over and over.  Everyone has something to say!  For example, writing and sending a letter to someone you care about will, no doubt, change you and the person you send it to.  I have a 2-year-old nephew who lives across the country.  Every couple of months I send him a note and a book in the mail.  It’s fun for us both.  Helping others, having fun and getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper all have positive effects on your brain.

8. Money/budget:  Sell things you don’t use, price shop your insurance, create a budget, teach your kids how to create a budget, cancel subscriptions to things that aren’t enriching your life, consider purchasing something that will add value to your life, consider how you can give more to help others (especially at a time like this).

For me, I invest more money into my health than almost any other area of my finances.  I fly across the country to the best holistic health practitioners, I eat the best food, take the best supplements, I invest in various alternative healthcare therapies, devices and programs to help improve my health.  This takes a high level of prioritizing financially.  But I believe that health is wealth.  When I am at optimal health, I am more focused in my mediation and prayer time, I am more present with my husband, I have more energy to give to my clients and more clarity of mind for writing, speaking and other creative projects.  Get rid of cable TV if you need to… Prioritize your health as a top line item!

9. Help/encourage someone/Be part of the solution:  Babysit for a friend or neighbor, help your kids with an art project, help someone by returning their cart at the grocery store, smile at strangers, kind words to the gas station or grocery store clerk, only post the most encouraging or funny things on social media.

So many people are filled with fear, worry and anxiety.  This was the case long before the media declared a pandemic but it has for sure gotten worse.  If you have some extra joy or laughter or smiles to share, share them!  You never know when your kind words will be the only one someone hears all day.  It is truly more blessed to give.  Again, this can be so simple and doesn’t have to take long.  It can be part of what you’re already doing.  Again, encouraging and helping others always comes back to help you.  When you feel good about yourself, this improves your entire view of life and health.

10. Make food:  Cut up a huge tray of raw vegetables to snack on for the next couple of days; make hummus or bean dip; make smoothies; make sour kraut, kimchi or kombucha; make soup or chili; make fresh lemonade; soak and cook beans; make kale chips; make a new recipe; make tea; make dessert (healthy version of course); cut up a beautiful salad or fruit bowl.

I love this one.  This of course has the double purpose of being fun and sometimes even therapeutic but also meeting the need that you and your family have to eat anyway.  I really love to make food and most days, I keep my meals super simple for the sake of time.  But every now and then, during times like this, I make that super healthy and delicious meal or snacks that take a long time but it’s okay because you have all day.  What’s your favorite foods?  I am 100% sure there’s a way to upgrade it into a healthy and amazing version that you will love.  Nourish yourself!  Find a special recipe or just buy all your favorite foods and start a kitchen party.

11. Go outside:  Play catch, walk in the yard, walk in the park, have a picnic, clean up the yard, get the garden ready, have a campfire, climb trees with your kids, or take pictures in nature. Not sure what to do?… Follow your nieces, nephews, kids/grandkids… they are full of creative ideas of things to do outside.

Time outside is stress relieving.  It’s good for your lungs, your circadian rhythms and if you have bare feet in the grass (or sand), it’s one of the most powerful ways to reduce inflammation that you can get (at no cost!).  Again, if you only have a few minutes, take it outside!

12. Be creative: Build something (a fort in the woods, a garden, a fruit tower), take pictures, draw, paint, re-do a room, make music, write, make up a game, color.

Again, creative projects are good for your brain.  If you don’t see yourself as creative per se, just pick something from above and do it for a few minutes.  You want your brain to last and remain sharp for the duration of your life.  This is one way to work your brain, similar to how you work your muscles.  Do something different, fun, stretching, and uncomfortable.  Personally, I like to be creative with food.  My sister has challenged me to re-make a super healthy version of Combos (I won’t lie, I used to love them!).  Ha ha! Stay tuned…

13. Be grateful:  Make a list of all you’re grateful for, post it in your home or office, send a thank you note to someone who has helped you grow, blessed you or loved you unconditionally. (Don’t forget about your immediate friends, family and neighbors, as well as your first grade teacher or high school track coach.)

Dr. Dispenza says that “Gratitude is the ultimate state of receivership.”  When you are grateful for what you have and you exude gratitude, it’s a good indicator that you can handle even more blessings! 

Positive emotions like love/ joy/peace/patience/gratitude/kindness/etc. have a strengthening effect on your Biofield (the energetic field around your body).  The opposite is also true.  Negative emotions like frustration/stress/anxiety/bitterness/fear/worry/etc. have a weakening effect on your Biofield. 

Health is more than just what you eat.  It’s how you live, what you stand for, the environment you create, the mindset you have and the actions you take.

I am proud of you.  Thanks for reading this.  Take action.  Pick at least one thing and do it now or get it on your schedule for tomorrow (in case you need to go get ingredients or something like that). 

If you are looking for more specific information on the Coronavirus and how to build your immune system, click here for the previous posts.

You are healthy, safe, loved and healed.  It is so.  Keep pressing on!

Nothing said or implied in this post is intended to treat, cure, diagnose or prevent any disease.  It does not take the place of a qualified health care practitioner and is intended for educational purposes only.