Integrative wellness: What is it and why is it important?

When it comes to our wellbeing, it’s important to look at the whole picture and consider all areas of our health and lifestyle. Taking an integrative approach to health means looking at our physical, mental and emotional health. There are many elements to address, so this approach often includes a combination of medicines, therapies and lifestyle changes.

With this in mind, the team at Meaghers Pharmacy have developed Pharmacy 360, a programme all about taking a 360-degree approach to a person’s health. The goal is to empower and educate patients on their lifestyle health, taking into account any prescriptions or health illnesses they are faced with, and supporting them as they manage their own health.

Why is this such an effective approach? When something goes wrong, it is often caused by a multitude of factors, not just one thing. Looking at different elements of our lifestyle can help us to understand what is really going on and manage our health.

At Pharmacy 360, we focus on seven key elements of integrative wellness…

Core values

Why do you want to be healthy in the first place? Take a moment to consider this question. Understanding what is important to you and finding your “why” can really help motivate you to make positive changes in other areas of your lifestyle.

Sleep

Sleep is crucial for our health and impacts everything from our immune health, emotional wellbeing, energy levels and decision-making. When we are sleep-deprived, we are more reactive and often find it increasingly difficult to cope with stressful situations, leading to overwhelm.

Stress management

Stress is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to control it. Understanding how our nervous system works can help us understand how it affects our bodies. Learning how to recognize unhealthy levels of persistent stress and acquire coping skills to diffuse it can be a game-changer when it comes to dealing with anxiety and overwhelm.

Nutrition

What we fuel our bodies with is going to impact our health as well as our energy levels. Consuming a balanced diet, where the emphasis is on unprocessed, whole foods containing a wide variety of essential nutrients, will contribute to a healthy immune system and heart and will impact mental health and general performance levels. Try to eat a wide variety of colourful, vegetables and fruit and make sure you are getting enough protein. Hydration is also crucial, so keep an eye on your daily water intake and try to get at least two litres per day.

*Click here for top tips on nutrition.*

Movement and exercise

Regular physical movement and activity reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. It also has a profound impact on our mental wellbeing. It triggers the release of endorphins, often referred to as the “feel-good” hormones, which can uplift your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Incorporating physical activity into your routine can be a powerful tool for managing stress and boosting self-esteem.

For people suffering from chronic illnesses, Exwell Medical is a great resource. They provide supervised exercise classes for all abilities and levels of health, under close supervision. These classes have been life-changing for thousands of people across Ireland. Ask your GP or pharmacist how to get referred to the program led by Dr Noel McCaffrey.

Connections and relationships

Having experienced so much social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, we all know the impact that being cut off from our social network can have on our health and wellbeing. Making time for our social needs, feeling part of a supportive community, and engaging with others impacts our health. Loneliness has such a negative impact on our minds and bodies. It is also important to recognise the importance of having a kind and compassionate relationship with ourselves. Our own self-talk impacts us physically as well as emotionally.

Environment

The environment we live in, whether it is at home, school or our working environment, will play a key role in our health. Sometimes our external environment is out of our control (especially for things like air and water quality), but other times we can make small adjustments, like bringing the healing qualities of nature into the home or workspace, which can help to create a more comfortable space, where the body feels safe.

Climate change and fear of the planet’s wellbeing are also causing eco-anxiety among many people. Acknowledging this and directing people to organisations like Friends of the Earth, can help people voice their fears and not feel isolated in their worries. All of these things impact our health.

For expert help and support when it comes to your health and wellbeing, speak to the Meaghers team today. Pop into any of their 10 Dublin locations or visit them on meaghers.ie.

Delivering expert advice in a friendly and professional way, Meaghers Pharmacy have redefined the role of the pharmacist in the communities they serve and offer accessible and affordable healthcare solutions to patients in need of expert advice. To celebrate Meaghers as our official wellness partner, we’re offering IMAGE readers 15% off all full-price products on their website with the code IMAGE15.