Holistic teaching and healing incorporates a healing approach that includes all aspects of the self: the mind, the body, and the spirit. Each of these components can be sectioned into areas such as: spirituality, emotions, nutrition, physical health, knowledge and wisdom, community, and identity, self-concept and self-worth.
Each of these aspects can fit into our central self: the identity, self-concept and self-worth. Our identity is shaped by our experiences, our past, our environment, our past trauma, and our personalities. As we developed from a fetus to the person we are, our self-concept, self-worth, self-identity becomes shaped. Our journey and our place in the world, is further determined by the aspects of our body, mind and soul. Thus, by ensuring we “take care of” and meet these needs, we create a balance that allows us to feel centered, loved, accepted, and healthy.
Healing our mind, body and souls
As Black individuals, we are often raised and taught to work hard, often taking on several jobs and working much harder than our bodies can manage or handle. Many times, we are working to escape poverty, or provide for our families & extended family members, and build generation wealth for our families. All this hard work can have an impact our physical health, our mental wellness, and our spiritual care. By investing in all areas of our health, balancing work and personal life, and managing stress we can create healthier outcomes for our lives.
Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.
Michelle Obama
Healing Strategies
To create balance in the body
- reduce stress
- physical exercise
- walking
- yoga & Pilates
- boxing
- Dental appointments
- Specialized skincare, facials
- running
- swimming
- dancing
- regular doctor’s appointments
- sleep-study
- healthy nutrition
- Therapeutic massage
To create balance within the soul
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Prayer
- Attending church, mosques or spiritual centers
- Social gatherings
- Nature & the beach
- Reiki
- Expressive arts
- Counselling
- Psychotherapy
- Dance & festivals
To create balance within the mind
- Counselling/ Psychotherapy
- Reading
- Speaking with others
- Mediate
- Listen to music
- Learn a new skill
- Engage in a hobby
- Write
- Knit & Sewing
- Fishing
What to learn more?
Black Doctor Organization– BDO is the leading health and wellness destination for people of color. We leverage culture, content and technology to transform people’s lives for the better. Editorially, BDO shares culturally relevant tips and strategies on health, wellness, lifestyle and longevity.
Healthy Knowledge Magazine– HEALTHY KNOWLEDGE (HK) MAGAZINE We are a privately owned Canadian company that operates out of Ontario, Canada. Our readers and distribution are global. HK is the only monthly ethnic health magazine published in Canada.
Health Inequities in the Black Community– Black people experience disparities in health outcomes when compared to the Canadian population at large. Read More.
Holistic Care Websites to Visit
Black Health Alliance: The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.
Women’s Health and Women’s Hands: The Mandate of Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (WHIWH) Community Health Centre is to provide primary healthcare to racialized women from the African, Black, Caribbean, Latin American and South Asian communities in Toronto and surrounding municipalities.
Taibu Community Health Centre: TAIBU Community Health Centre provides primary health care and related services for Black populations across the Greater Toronto Area as its priority population and residents of the local community of Malvern.
Carea Community Health Centre: We provide access to high quality, holistic, and inclusive care that is responsive to the needs of the community and empowers individuals to enhance their own well-being.