Hawkins Holistic

Naturally Yours

Tag: relapse prevention

January 1, 2015

To do that which serves you.

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Greetings and happy 2015, readers!

I posted this steam of consciousness on Instagram last week, and I thought it relevant to share here also, if only as a reminder for myself this year.

We all de-stress differently. If I’ve learned anything in 2014, it’s that it’s so important – imperative, actually – to discover, develop and regularly practice healthy means of stress reduction. Otherwise known as coping 🙂

For myself, meditation + prayer + yoga + kirtan music takes me down a notch, quiets my “overactive” mind, regulates an agitated nervous system, and creates an inner experience of peace & love. But sometimes it’s a high energy run I need or a leisurely walk or cycle in nature. Sometimes it’s a glass of delicious red wine, savored & appreciated. Sometimes it’s connecting with a good friend, and sometimes it’s being completely alone. Ultimately, we must know ourselves, our limits, and give our minds & body that which it needs in any moment. And those needs are not stagnant, as they change hour-to-hour, day-to-day and year-to-year.

There’s good reason why mental illness is on the rise: being too busy to care for ourselves – as we truly need it – is all to common in western culture, and with all the technological distractions and subsequent shortened attention spans, there is a disconnection from the pulse of life. Literally. The way our heart beats is greatly effected by living in an anxiety state. Tuning in, being quiet and listening to our mind/body’s needs is more important than ever.

My call of action to you in 2015? Simply do that which serves your peace-of-mind, for the short term AND the long term.

Naturally yours.

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

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September 12, 2014

Puzzled by the holistic approach?

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I love this visual to help one understand holistic nutrition and how it differs from traditional dietetics. As I mentioned in a previous post, the holistic nutritionist looks not only at diet, but also lifestyle and the psycho-spiritual. When one piece of the puzzle is missing, our overall health is compromised and perhaps we feel a sense of being “incomplete”…like something’s missing. It can be really challenging to find that piece, especially if you’re looking in the dark.

A holistic nutritionist helps you identify that “missing piece” via a multipronged approach. We address your health concerns and potentially unearth some other areas that need attention. I guide you through recommendations re what you can do to improve your physical/emotional/spiritual health. We open doors, not close them!

As a side note, I do want to address ‘relapse prevention,’ as it’s seen in the diagram. To me, relapse doesn’t only relate to substance abuse – it also lends itself to emotional trauma (e.g. PTSD, severe depression), bad coping habits (e.g. excessive dieting, nail-biting, fast food) and lifestyle (e.g. work/play balance, lack of creative engagement). When each piece of that puzzle is addressed and given some love, the chances of a “relapse” happening are minimized. If someone is nurturing love & respect in themselves, they are less likely to engage in self-harming behavior.

I hope this helps you understand the holistic approach a bit better! The diagram certainly got my wheels turning!

Naturally yours.

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