What is holistic practice? According to Google, holistic health is “an approach to wellness that sees the person as a whole, focusing on the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of life, not just treating isolated symptoms of disease. It aims to achieve overall well-being by balancing these dimensions, addressing root causes, and promoting prevention, often blending conventional medicine with alternative practices like nutrition, stress reduction, and mind-body techniques.” 

I’ve been communicating with Holli, who is a holistic health enthusiast. She’s passionate, ready to guide, and took her time to share an article she wrote for you all regarding what she practices. I feel like many of us can benefit from what she shared, including myself! Feel free to share in the comments below if you practice, are interested, or know about holistic health.

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Strategies for Everyday Wellness: Small Shifts, Lasting Calm by Holli Richardson

In a world that prizes speed and productivity, caring for your mental and emotional balance can feel like a side quest — but it’s the core of everything that works. The good news? Everyday wellness isn’t about dramatic transformations. It’s built on subtle, repeatable habits that reinforce calm, connection, and clarity.

Key Takeaways for a Healthier Headspace

• Tiny actions practiced daily outlast big, unsustainable overhauls.
• Emotional steadiness grows when gratitude and creative expression meet.
• Movement, reflection, and rest each play unique roles in resetting the mind.
• Connection—whether with others or with yourself—keeps anxiety from looping.
• Mindfulness reframes stress by grounding awareness in the present moment.

The Power of Micro-Practices

Mental wellness improves through consistency, not intensity. Think of “micro-practices” as emotional nutrients—easy to digest, impossible to overdose on. A two-minute breathing break between meetings, a 10-step walk outside, or a single paragraph of journaling can disrupt spirals of rumination before they set in.

Examples of micro-practices worth trying:

• One deep, conscious breath before answering emails.
• Saying no without apology when your energy’s low.
• Smiling at the barista and actually meaning it.
• Checking in with your body posture once an hour.

Small, predictable acts of awareness compound into something powerful—an inner environment that feels safe and grounded, regardless of the external pace.

Gratitude in Motion: Creative Calm for the Restless Mind

One simple, beautiful way to anchor your emotions is to blend gratitude with creativity. When you express appreciation through a creative outlet—say, by designing custom cards or notes for loved ones—you build a positive feedback loop of affection and calm. The act itself becomes mindful: choosing colors, selecting words, reflecting on what someone means to you.

This process isn’t just art; it’s nervous system regulation disguised as craft. You can even create a card to print with a free, intuitive tool that lets you design and order beautifully printed cards using high-quality templates. The result: a tangible reminder that gratitude doesn’t just belong in your thoughts—it can live in your hands.

How to Build an Everyday Wellness Routine

Start small, test what resonates, and layer gradually. Here’s a simple framework to follow:

1. Observe – Notice how your body and mind react to daily rhythms.
2. Simplify – Cut one unnecessary obligation per week.
3. Move – Add at least 15 minutes of gentle activity daily.
4. Nourish – Hydrate and eat with intention, not habit.
5. Reflect – Write or voice-record a one-minute check-in.
6. Connect – Call, text, or meet one person you appreciate.
7. Rest – Protect your sleep schedule like a valuable meeting.
8. Repeat – Progress comes from returning, not reinventing.

Checking these boxes regularly gives your nervous system predictable cues of safety and recovery.

Reframing Through Mindfulness

Mindfulness isn’t about emptying the mind—it’s about noticing what fills it. Practicing mindfulness allows you to remain open and less reactive when stress appears. It means meeting each thought or sensation with curiosity rather than control. That shift—from “fixing” to “witnessing”—is often where balance starts to return.

By embracing the present moment without judgment, you create space for a more stable, compassionate mindset. If you’re exploring positivity training, resources like this guide on be sure to embrace the moment offer evidence-based ways to cultivate a balanced and grounded attitude.

Emotional Nutrition: What Your Mind Really Craves

Before trying to “optimize” mood with more productivity, it helps to see emotions as energy that needs digestion. Feelings unprocessed become fatigue; connection unexpressed becomes loneliness.

Here’s how to rebalance your inner ecosystem:

This table isn’t prescriptive—it’s a menu. Sample from it daily, and you’ll start noticing how emotional steadiness becomes the default, not the exception.

A few common questions people ask when trying to live with more calm and intention:

1. How long before these habits make a difference?
   You may feel lighter within days, but real transformation comes from repetition. The brain rewires through routine, not novelty—expect sustainable change in 6–8 weeks of practice.
2. What if I lose consistency?
   That’s normal. Wellness isn’t linear; it’s cyclical. Missing a day doesn’t erase progress—it’s simply another moment to begin again with less judgment.
3. Do creative hobbies really reduce stress?
   Yes. Creative focus activates flow states, lowering heart rate and reducing cortisol levels. The key is intrinsic joy—create for expression, not perfection.
4. How does mindfulness improve mood?
   It trains awareness to observe thoughts without fusing to them. Over time, this reduces emotional reactivity and expands your capacity for calm.
5. Is digital wellness part of emotional health?
   Absolutely. Limit doom-scrolling, schedule tech-free zones, and use devices for intentional connection rather than constant distraction.
6. Can gratitude actually change the brain?
   Research shows gratitude activates reward centers and strengthens prefrontal regions linked to positive emotion regulation. Feeling thankful isn’t naïve—it’s neurological training.

The Quiet Art of Showing Up

Everyday mental wellness isn’t a checklist to conquer—it’s a rhythm to inhabit. Whether you’re stretching before work, journaling at lunch, or sending a note of thanks, each small action is a vote for stability over chaos. Peace doesn’t arrive all at once; it builds through presence, patience, and persistence. Keep showing up for yourself, and your mind will learn that calm is not a rare state—it’s home.

Hollistic.net

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Make sure you check out her website and if you have any questions on holistic practices or interested in learning more, make sure you reach out to Holli! Don’t forget to check out her website “Holistic Health: A Beginner’s Guide to Whole Health”