Health, a term used to define the degree of “wellness” of a living being, is translated as the fitness of physique and mind, often viewed and talked about in solidarity. Modernization has brought hyper-specialization to medicine, leading to compartmentalized solutions for various aspects of our wellness. This can sometimes miss the bigger picture and underlying causes.
Holistic health addresses this gap by considering the entire person and their environment, aiming for a more comprehensive understanding of well-being. Holistic health, rather than medical wellness, is an approach to living similar to ancient approaches to health that signify the overall wellness of the being – the connection of body, mind, and spirit. This approach to life suggests that these aspects of a being, although having their own identities, behave as one and can only be understood in relation to others. Just as a morale hit can lead to a stressful mind state, our bodies react to the chaos in our minds. Their health is co-dependent. But the question remains – how can holistic health be achieved? Permaculture may be the answer.
The practice of permaculture involves ecosystem-centric activities such as restoring the natural nutrient balance of land, ensuring healthy water levels and soil diversity, generating abundance and diversity of food, and accounting for all inputs and outputs to build a self-sufficient ecosystem ultimately. Permaculture, at its core, motivates us to spend more time with nature by not just taking from it but also giving it back, which builds a greater sense of purpose – an essential component of our spiritual wellness.
Countless research has proven that working with soil, and plants and spending time in a natural setting positively impacts a person’s mind. Permaculture principles such as having balanced (and diverse) meals, regular physical activities like running and hiking, adequate sleep, and life in harmony with nature encourage people to lead a ‘healthy lifestyle’, which trickles down to the overall wellness of the person. It also promotes collaborative action with fellow humans or other organisms of nature, building a stronger sense of belonging and purpose.
