Honouring Your Health: A Gentle Reminder to Prioritize Wellness

“Those who think they have no time for healthy living will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” — Edward Stanley

This quote cuts straight to the heart of how many of us approach health. I remind myself of what’s important with this quote. We often convince ourselves that we’re too busy to eat well, exercise, rest, or manage stress. Sometimes, that’s the case, it’s survival but, it’s not always like that. I believe we overlook just how much time we do actually have. Although I agree that life is too full of what’s not important sometimes and it’s too demanding, we often CHOOSE the less important thing and we keep doing so until we need that time to deal with illness or… until there’s no time left. But when illness strikes—when the body demands what we’ve long ignored—time is no longer optional. It’s a sobering truth: neglecting our health now doesn’t save time; it only borrows it at a cost we cannot afford.

A Holistic Approach to Healing

I use the example of healing an illness because it’s unfortunate that there is likely an illness that most have a personal experience with. Whether it’s been yourself, a friend, loved one or a coworker, almost everyone has known someone who has fought a health battle and won or fought and lost. The depth of its seriousness and long lasting impact is no different between the two.

When someone is faced with a serious illness (lifelong or terminal), they often wish they had made time for being healthy earlier. But even in the face of illness, hope and healing are possible through a holistic approach.

Healing holistically means addressing the entire being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This is not about replacing conventional treatments but complementing them to create the best possible conditions for recovery. I wanted to outline the key components below to give you an idea of the path we take in illness that would be beneficial to take for health.

Key Components of a Holistic Healing Plan:

1. Nourishment for the Body:

• A diet rich in whole, organic foods—especially vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats—can support the immune system and reduce inflammation.

• Reducing or eliminating processed foods, sugars, and artificial additives creates an environment less hospitable to cancer cells.

2. Emotional Healing:

• Stress and unresolved trauma can weaken the body’s defenses. Therapy, journaling, or practices like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can help release these burdens.

3. Detoxification:

• Supporting the body’s natural detox pathways through hydration, saunas, and toxin-free living reduces the internal toxic load.

4. Restorative Movement:

• Gentle exercise, such as yoga, tai chi, or walking, improves circulation and boosts energy while being kind to the body.

5. Spiritual Connection:

• Whether through prayer, meditation, or spending time in nature, many find strength and clarity by connecting with something greater than themselves.

6. Community and Support:

• Isolation during illness can deepen despair. Surrounding oneself with loved ones and participating in support groups can be profoundly healing.

While no path guarantees healing outcomes, a holistic approach offers patients tools to reclaim their power, focus on wellness, and find peace in the process.

Living Holistically to Prevent Disease

Why wait for illness to remind us of the importance of health? By making time for wellness now, we can reduce the risk of chronic and terminal diseases and enjoy a richer, more fulfilling life.

Here’s how to live holistically:

1. Honor Your Body:

• Choose foods that fuel vitality—organic, unprocessed, and full of nutrients. Prioritize hydration and mindful eating.

• Incorporate regular, enjoyable movement into your routine to keep your body strong and resilient.

2. Cultivate Mental Clarity:

• Stress is a silent saboteur of health. Meditate, practice breathwork, or spend time in nature to quiet the mind.

• Limit screen time and create boundaries around work to protect mental energy.

3. Prioritize Rest and Recovery:

• Sleep isn’t wasted time—it’s when your body heals and regenerates. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

• Take regular breaks during the day to recharge and prevent burnout.

4. Create a Toxin-Free Environment:

• Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals in cleaning products, personal care items, and processed foods.

• Opt for natural, sustainable alternatives wherever possible.

5. Build Meaningful Connections:

• Relationships are a cornerstone of wellness. Spend quality time with loved ones, foster gratitude, and nurture a sense of community.

6. Embrace Spiritual Practices:

• Find purpose and fulfillment in practices that align with your values, whether through spirituality, creativity, or service to others.

Holistic living isn’t about adding stress to your life. It’s about simplifying, prioritizing, and choosing what truly matters.

The Wisdom of Illness

Those who face serious illness often see life with a clarity that eludes the healthy. They recognize how they spent so much time chasing the urgent while neglecting the important. Their reflections often carry profound wisdom:

• “I thought I was too busy to care for myself, but I wasn’t too busy—I just didn’t make it a priority.”

• “The things I once worried about seem so small now. I wish I had focused on what truly mattered.”

• “I wish I had made time for joy, connection, and rest while I was well.”

Illness has a way of stripping life down to its essentials. What remains is love, connection, and the desire to truly live. The lesson is clear: don’t wait for illness to teach you what really matters.

Choosing Wellness Now

This season, as we approach Christmas, is a perfect time to reconnect with what brings true health and happiness. The holidays are filled with wonder and magic—the perfect invitation to slow down and remember what’s important.

As children, we marveled at the beauty of the season, the sparkling lights, and the stories of hope and joy. That sense of awe isn’t lost; we’ve just buried it under the noise of adulthood. Reclaim it.

• Take time to savor life’s simple pleasures.

• Make choices that nourish your body, mind, and soul.

• Play, laugh, and allow yourself to feel wonder without hesitation.

Choosing wellness isn’t a burden; it’s a gift to yourself and those who love you. It’s about creating a life of vitality, joy, and presence—not just avoiding sickness but fully embracing health.

Conclusion

“The greatest wealth is health.” If you have your health, you have hope. And with hope, everything is possible. This Christmas, let that hope inspire you to take the first steps toward a more vibrant, intentional life.

Honor your body with care. Feed your soul with connection and joy. Reignite your sense of wonder. The time for health isn’t later; it’s now. Choose wellness today, not out of fear of illness but out of love for life. Create a life so rich with vitality and love that you’ll never look back with regret—only gratitude.

With Love & Light,

Mandy Hunter