Wholistic Wellness Framework

There is no big secret to optimal health. Wholistic wellness supports all people to thrive, naturally restoring bodily function and helping us feel better. When we give the body what it needs, the transformation of which it’s capable can be absolutely remarkable.

I work from a truly wholistic framework, including body, mind, and spirit. These seven principles are my guiding philosophy:

Restorative Sleep

Sleep is a critical foundation of health and optimizing it is one of the easiest and most impactful necessities in a wholistic lifestyle, yet most Americans are deficient. In fact, sixty percent of Americans admit they have trouble sleeping! Lack of sleep leads to suffering from significant health consequences, which can include increased inflammation, inability to lose weight, lower immune function, impaired sugar metabolization, unbalanced mood, feelings of depression, irregular blood pressure, and more. Not only that, the timing and quality of sleep is crucial. I work with clients to develop their own personal sleep hygiene protocol so they can maximize their sleep for the most positive health results. We write actionable goals together that are reasonable, slowly building to a robust sleep hygiene routine that will support restorative sleep.

Wholesome Nutrition

Eating real food and drinking clean water are foundational keys to restoring metabolic function, lowering chronic inflammation, and balancing immune + stress responses. Food choices can be one of the more difficult lifestyle changes to make, but they often have the biggest health impact. It is absolutely essential to fuel our bodies well so they can function optimally, but knowing what to eat can seem daunting. Everyone has unique dietary and nutritional needs, so I take a personalized approach based on my clients’ current eating habits, individual health needs, and schedule limitations to develop a plan that works so new eating habits support overall wellness. Diet changes are almost always established slowly (unless there is a pressing need that must be addressed immediately) to allow time for adjustment, to minimize food cravings, and to watch for food sensitivities. I walk alongside clients every step of the way to help them stay successful and overcome obstacles as they arise, making tweaks as needed.

Some specific ways in which I equip clients include:

• Creating a real foods pantry and menu that makes everyone happy and supplies crucial vitamins + minerals
• Giving favorite family meals a real foods makeover so everyone can keep enjoying the recipes they love
• Guidance and recommendations for cooking meals that are uncomplicated and nourishing
• Recommendations for using herbs in the kitchen
• Replacing ultra-processed snacks with healthier alternatives that actually fuel the body
• Learning to read food packages to discover hidden ingredients that may be negatively affecting your family’s health, as well as finding healthier alternatives
• Understanding the meanings of organic, GMO, bioengineered, etc., and how to read between the lines of many confusing food labels to avoid “greenwashing” traps
• Learning to shop the EWG’s Clean 15 while avoiding the Dirty Dozen

Lower Toxic Load

We are bombarded with toxins in our modern world and they can have devastating effects on our health without us even realizing it. An overflowing toxic load bucket contributes to inflammation, hormone disruption, and overall immune dysfunction. Conventional personal care products, perfumes, cosmetics, cleaning products, candles, room sprays, plastics, etc. all contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that block our hormones from working properly. Other toxins like EMFs, blue light, and chemicals from food and nonstick cookware also silently confuse and poison our bodies. Chlorine and fluoride in our drinking water are problematic and bad indoor air quality is often overlooked. Knowing how to start making changes can feel overwhelming, so I work with clients to discerningly read labels and use tools to find safer products so they can “ditch and switch,” transforming their homes into a sanctuary of clean living. Using my detailed “Healthy Home” checklist, we will cultivate an actionable plan to slowly switch out products for natural alternatives. I also work with interested clients to build a natural remedies toolbox that supports the whole family.

Body Movement

It is well known that exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and the positive side effects are immense! It’s quite true that if we don’t use it, we lose it! Staying active keeps our bones and joints strong, keeps us flexible, keeps our muscles from atrophying, and keeps our cardiovascular system toned and strong. If movement routines are not already established, I help clients discover and implement exercise opportunities that best support their body and work within lifestyle constraints. Moving your body does not require going to the gym or buying expensive equipment! I meet clients where they are, offering suggestions and setting actionable goals based on their current fitness levels.

Connecting Relationships

Although it’s an often-overlooked aspect of health, connecting relationships are a vital component of wholistic wellness. Healthy social support is absolutely essential for mental (and therefore bodily wellness), including positive benefits for anxiety, depression, general quality of life, and overall psychological health. Part of my wellness counseling services includes discussion with clients about their relational health, opportunities to express forgiveness when needed, as well as recommendations and accountability for making positive social connections a priority. Likewise, because all adverse childhood experiences (ACES) stem from relational trauma, I make space to explore + appreciate clients’ histories if they are open to sharing their stories.

Stress Support

Chronic lifestyle stress and toxic stress associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) wreck havoc on our nervous system and ability to be well. It is often discounted, but the mind-body connection is a powerful influence on health. Unmitigated stress can contribute to chronic health conditions, mental health diagnoses, immune system dysfunction, learning + behavior challenges, emotional regulation + impulse control, and even shorter lifespan. Although we cannot eliminate stress, we can create resiliency by nurturing our parasympathetic nervous system so we can “rest + digest,” correct imbalances, and utilize all the good stuff we’re giving it. We can do all of the right things but if stress responses are not addressed, it will be an uphill battle to improve the terrain and attain true wellness. I work with clients to explore and incorporate easy (and often free!) stress-lowering activities into their lifestyles to support regulation of the nervous system. Likewise, I also help clients to optimize their gut health, which is strongly linked to nervous system balance.

Spiritual Life

We are spiritual beings. Many people focus only on the “body” aspect of health, but spiritual care is an essential part of true wholistic wellness. Participating in a spiritual community or having a faith life is associated with better health outcomes overall, including increased longevity and improved mental health. Prayer is also consistently associated with less anxiety and depression, as well as lower cortisol (stress) levels. In fact, just 12 minutes of prayer a day can positively impact the frontal lobe of the brain and emotional health. While supporting clients, I address spiritual care and faith life, working to prioritize it in their lifestyles as they are open to it. As a Christian, I work with people of all faith backgrounds and religious beliefs, but I also personally pray for all of my clients and will open meetings with prayer if they are comfortable. I believe our Jehovah Rapha is the ultimate healer and prayer is one of the very best allies for our wholistic wellness.