Holistic Wealth: Navigating the Intersection of Health, Wealth, and Happiness
Have you ever considered that money is just money and that wealth is another concept all together? Recently, I was introduced to the topic of holistic wealth, and it makes so much sense when you start thinking about it. I mean, what if there was a way of living holistically while also building your wealth in a healthy manner?
What is holistic wealth?
Holistic wealth is, simply put, a way of thinking about money while also thinking about your own mental, emotional and physical health, your relations, your lifestyle goals, your values and your level of happiness. This goes beyond the classic definition of having a certain amount of money in the bank or expensive art on the walls, as it really takes the whole into consideration.
A burned-out women would not be considered wealthy in this scenario, no matter how much money she acquires. Likewise, she would not be considered wealthy if her family relations suffers because she spends too much time at work.
A truly wealthy woman, on the other hand, would be a woman who nurtures the balance in her life. She sleeps well, eats well, and spends time doing what she finds valuable with the people she loves, while also taking care of her finances. She is rich in what matters.
The holistic wealth mindset shift
This holistic approach to wellness requires a mindset shift. If the sum in your bank account no longer will define your success, then what will? What do success and wealth mean to you, at this point in your life? Whom do you care about? What are your values? After all, money is just money, and for many of us, this can be quite baffling. Most of us have been conditioned to think about wealth in a certain way, and it takes a bit of reflection to figure out what our new goals should be.
Shifting our mindset away from the traditional measures of success, such as the balance in our bank accounts, allows us to redefine our priorities and aspirations. Success and wealth take on new dimensions when viewed through the lens of holistic well-being. Instead of solely chasing financial gain, we begin to value experiences, relationships, personal growth, and overall happiness.
Identifying our core values and aligning our goals with them becomes paramount in this paradigm shift. It’s a process of unlearning the societal conditioning that equates wealth with monetary abundance and embracing a more nuanced understanding of prosperity—one that encompasses fulfillment in all aspects of life. While this shift may initially feel unfamiliar or even unsettling, it opens doors to a more authentic and meaningful existence.
A deeper dive into holistic wealth
As this will be a personal journey for all of us, there is no one size fits all. Yet, there are some elements that will work for most of us:
Economic prosperity
Naturally, economic stability is a crucial part of the holistic wealth equation. It’s about having enough resources to meet our basic needs while also being able to invest in our goals and dreams for the future.
Physical and mental health
A key component of holistic wealth is our physical and mental well-being. This includes not only the absence of illness but also a state of wellness and vitality that allows us to fully enjoy life and fulfill our potential.
Interpersonal relationships
Our connections with other people play a crucial role in our sense of wealth. Strong relationships build bridges of support, love, and community that provide deep satisfaction and meaning to our lives.
Personal growth
Holistic wealth encourages us to strive for continuous personal growth and development. This may involve challenging ourselves, learning new skills, discovering our passions, and living in alignment with our authentic selves.
Meaningful existence
Ultimately, holistic wealth is about creating a meaningful life that aligns with our deepest values and purpose. It’s about finding joy and fulfillment in the small moments as well as the major achievements, and living in harmony with our inner and outer worlds.
By embracing all these dimensions of holistic wealth, we can achieve a state of true wealth that enriches every aspect of our lives. It is through a holistic approach to richness that we can truly live up to our full potential and attain lasting happiness and fulfillment.
The merging of finances and wellness
We all know that our financial reality affects our wellness in many ways. First and foremost, it decides how healthy we can eat and how much rest we can have compared to our working hours. Then, it often becomes this chronic source of stress in our lives, affecting our mental and emotional health, too. If you trade your health for money, you will only lose the ability to acquire the money you need and head down in a tailspin.
Wellness and wealth are intricately woven together, and it’s important that they are somewhat aligned. Slowly, but surely, you can start making the changes and have your wellness become an asset that dances well together with your wealth.
Avoiding financial anorexia
Most financial advisors out there would advice you to cut down as much as you possibly can, in order to invest the savings. This is all well and good, but the risk is that you end up cutting back until there’s nothing left but the grinding. You may well wake up one day to find your quality of life missing, and that you really don’t enjoy your life anymore, just so that you may get the life you dreamed of in 20 years or so.
Holistic wealth helps you avoid that caveat, too, as it takes all aspects of your life and wellness into consideration, in the here and now. After all, stocks can lose all their value in the blink of an eye, and inflation can easily kill your savings account. The memories and bonds you create with your children, however, will last forever.
How to achieve holistic wealth
The first step in achieving holistic wealth is to align your financial goals with your core values and ideal lifestyle. For example, if you’re a mother who desires to spend more time with your children, prioritize this value in your financial planning. Consider adjusting your work schedule, exploring remote work options, or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors that offer flexibility and autonomy. By prioritizing family time and integrating it into your financial strategy, you’re investing in both your emotional wellbeing and your financial security.
Next, focus on creating a budget that reflects your values and supports your lifestyle goals. Identify areas where you can reduce expenses or reallocate resources to prioritize what matters most to you. This might involve cutting back on non-essential expenses, finding creative ways to save on everyday purchases, or exploring alternative income streams.
Invest in your physical and mental well-being by prioritizing self care practices. This may include regular exercise, mindfulness meditation, adequate sleep, and seeking professional support when needed. By prioritizing your health, you’re investing in your long term vitality and resilience, which are essential components of holistic wealth.
Cultivate meaningful relationships and connections with loved ones. Allocate time and resources to nurture your relationships, whether it’s through quality time spent together, meaningful conversations, or acts of kindness and support. Strong social connections provide emotional support, enhance your sense of belonging, and contribute to overall happiness and fulfillment.
Finally, embrace a mindset of abundance and gratitude. Shift your focus from scarcity and lack to abundance and abundance. Practice gratitude for what you have, celebrate your accomplishments, and cultivate a positive outlook on life. By adopting an abundance mindset, you attract opportunities for growth, success, and fulfillment, ultimately enhancing your holistic wealth in all areas of your life.
In conclusion…
Holistic wealth is a way of thinking that combines your wellness and your finances in a beautiful way, ensuring that you are rich in what matters instead of only in your bank account. It has the potential to create an upward going spiral, in that it strengthens your wellness and in turn makes you even more productive.
The question it begs is that you discover what your true values are, and that you invest your time, money and energy accordingly.
What will you prioritize?