The Best Resources for Embracing Holistic Living
Holistic living is all about seeing life as an interconnected whole, where health, well-being, and personal growth aren’t isolated, but deeply intertwined. From nurturing your physical health to fostering emotional wellness, holistic thinking touches every aspect of our lives. Whether you’re a new parent navigating the complexities of birth and postpartum, or someone looking to live more consciously across all areas, this blog post will provide a curated list of resources that inspire and guide a holistic approach. In this guide, we'll dive into helpful books, websites, and Instagram accounts that promote balanced living, self-care, and mindful parenting.
1. Holistic Health Resources
Websites:
Mindful.org - Mindful.org is a fantastic resource dedicated to mindfulness and meditation, helping individuals cultivate awareness, emotional well-being, and presence. They offer free articles, guided practices, and free webinars on stress reduction, emotional balance, and mindfulness techniques.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - NCCIH is a government-run site offering credible, evidence-based information on a wide range of alternative medicine practices. While the site is not strictly "holistic" in the way many would define it, it provides a wealth of free, scientifically backed information on natural health practices.
HealthLine - healthline.com A great mix of scientific and holistic advice on mental health, nutrition, and alternative medicine.
Books:
The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain by Dr. John Sarno: A compelling book that explores the mind-body connection and its impact on physical health.
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk: A classic that dives deep into how trauma affects the body, with an emphasis on holistic healing practices.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: A spiritually-focused book on how to approach life with balance, awareness, and mindfulness.
Instagram Accounts:
@wellnessmama: A holistic health resource for clean living, natural remedies, and health-focused parenting tips.
@the.holistic.psychologist: Offers insights on mental health, trauma healing, and self-care with a focus on holistic methods.
@myhealthydish: Shares healthy recipes and nutritional tips with a holistic approach to food as medicine.
2. Holistic Birth & Postpartum Resources
Websites:
The Birth Hour - thebirthhour.com A podcast and blog dedicated to sharing personal birth stories, highlighting a range of birthing experiences including natural and holistic approaches.
The Birth Trauma Association - Birth Trauma Association provides free resources for those who have experienced challenging or traumatic births. They offer advice, guidance, and emotional support for women and families navigating recovery in a holistic way.
Postpartum Support International - postpartum.net A nonprofit organization offering resources for new parents, focusing on mental health during the postpartum period.
Evidence Based Birth - Evidence Based Birth provides evidence-based resources on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. They offer free access to numerous articles and resources to help families make informed decisions about birth, with an emphasis on safe, natural, and empowering practices.
Books:
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin: A foundational book for anyone interested in a more natural or holistic approach to childbirth.
The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson: A compassionate guide for postpartum care, offering practical and emotional support for new mothers, with a holistic perspective on healing.
Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke: Combines mindfulness and meditation practices with childbirth education to foster a calm and empowered birth experience.
Instagram Accounts:
@birthnaturally: This account focuses on empowering women to trust their bodies and embrace natural, unmedicated childbirth. It offers evidence-based resources, tips on natural birth preparation, and inspiration for those choosing a holistic birth experience.
@trusting_life_: A holistic birth and wellness advocate, this account shares resources and insights on everything from gentle birthing techniques to postpartum recovery. The focus is on trusting the body and supporting families through conscious and connected parenting.
@moomysmilk: Dedicated to holistic postpartum support, this account emphasizes breastfeeding, self-care, and nurturing the mother-baby bond. It provides educational content on breastfeeding, lactation support, and gentle parenting practices.
@balanced.birth.couple: This account is run by a couple who are passionate about providing balanced birth support and promoting a peaceful, informed birth experience. They share tips for both partners, focusing on mindfulness, physical preparation, and emotional well-being throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
3. Holistic Mindfulness & Emotional Well-Being Resources
Books:
“Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn: A beautiful book on mindfulness and being present, perfect for holistic living and reducing stress.
“Radical Acceptance” by Tara Brach: Explores the transformative power of accepting ourselves fully, combining mindfulness with self-compassion.
"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle: While not entirely free, numerous free summaries and insights are available online. This spiritual guide teaches readers about the importance of living in the present moment, offering a powerful message for holistic emotional well-being.
"Self-Compassion" by Kristin Neff: Kristin Neff’s work on self-compassion can be found in various free resources and blog posts. This book helps people practice kindness toward themselves and offers a holistic approach to mental and emotional healing.
Instagram Accounts:
@selfcareisforeveryone: This account shares accessible self-care tips, mindfulness practices, and emotional wellness tools. It’s a great follow for those looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily routines.
Holistic thinking encourages us to step back, look at the big picture, and honor the interconnectedness of our mind, body, and spirit. By tapping into these carefully chosen resources, you can nurture each facet of your life — from mental and emotional well-being to physical health and holistic parenting. Whether you’re looking for advice on birth, postpartum recovery, mindfulness, or self-care, these books, websites, and Instagram accounts offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to support you on your journey.
