The notion of a holistic mindset is explored in depth, particularly regarding its application to health and wellness. Zoa passionately discusses the third pillar of the Intentional Vitality Retreats, arguing that understanding the interconnectedness of the body is crucial in addressing health issues like plantar fasciitis. This condition, which is characterized by significant discomfort in the feet, serves as a catalyst for a broader conversation about how symptoms can often reflect deeper systemic problems. Zoa emphasizes that rather than merely treating the feet, it’s essential to consider how factors such as nutrition, hydration, stress, and lifestyle contribute to overall health.
Listeners are challenged to rethink their approaches to health and pain management. Zoa highlights common medical responses to plantar fasciitis, such as stretching and medication, but contrasts these with a holistic view that considers the body’s systems as a whole. By addressing the health of the foot within the context of overall body mechanics and emotional health, individuals can begin to uncover the root causes of their discomfort. Zoa’s encouragement to consider emotional stress as equal to physical stress opens up a new avenue for understanding pain and healing, reminding listeners that mental and physical health are inextricably linked.
The episode concludes with an invitation to engage in this holistic exploration further by attending the Intentional Vitality Retreat. By participating, attendees can learn to apply these principles in their lives, fostering a deeper understanding of their health and ultimately leading to greater vitality. Zoa’s insights challenge listeners to embrace a more comprehensive approach to health, inspiring them to seek solutions that recognize the intricate connections within their bodies.
Takeaways:
- A holistic mindset emphasizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, especially in health.
- To address plantar fasciitis, consider the entire body’s health, not just the feet.
- Emotional stress can manifest as physical pain, showing the body’s interconnectedness.
- Hydration and nutrition play vital roles in managing foot health and overall wellness.
- Incorporating whole body movement can alleviate foot pain and improve flexibility.
- Join the Intentional Vitality Retreat to learn more about holistic health solutions.
Transcript
Third pillar of the intentional vitality retreats is expand your holistic mindset.
Speaker A:Well, what is a holistic mindset and how and why would you want to expand yours?
Speaker A:These are pretty good questions to start with, don't you agree?
Speaker A:Holistic by definition shows that the whole is more than just the sum of the parts.
Speaker A:The interdependence and interconnection of the parts is oftentimes more important than the parts by themselves.
Speaker A:The holistic concept can be applied to almost anything, but today we will focus on thinking about your health and wellness holistically.
Speaker A:One of my favorite examples of this is how people deal with plantar fasciitis.
Speaker A:If you are new to plantar fasciitis, this is a medical term for when the bottom of your feet really hurt, particularly when you walk on them.
Speaker A:Besides pain, there's often swelling and stiffness to the foot or ankle.
Speaker A:It's often quite intense first thing in the morning and in the evening before bed.
Speaker A:It can be one foot or both.
Speaker A:Plantar fasciitis is not something you want to ignore no matter how much you like lounging around in bed all day.
Speaker A:When I meet with a client about their plantar fasciitis, I usually begin by informing them that they have a whole body issue, but they're simply noticing it in their feet.
Speaker A:I often get confused looks and I kind of feel a sense of doubt emanating from the client.
Speaker A:And this is because if you go to the doctor or a podiatrist, a foot doctor, or you search Dr.
Speaker A:Google, you will come up with the following kind of solutions to plantar fasciitis.
Speaker A:First, stretching exercises.
Speaker A:The problem is the fascia in the foot is tight, so stretch it out.
Speaker A:You can even get yourself a fancy sock or device that you wear while you sleep which encourages the stretching to happen.
Speaker A:So you don't even have to do anything besides put the device on CBD for pain relief or more involved pain relief medications.
Speaker A:You might get the suggestion to eat a balanced diet that is oh so specific.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:Botox, where you inject a substance that your brain considers toxic into your foot.
Speaker A:Why would you do that?
Speaker A:Because it dulls the pain sensations.
Speaker A:Or steroid injections into the foot or area.
Speaker A:And that's because the stress hormone cortisol is anti inflammatory so it calms down the inflammation in the area which is contributing to pain.
Speaker A:But I'll be honest, very few of those appeal to me, but neither does being in pain.
Speaker A:A more holistic mindset to plantar fasciitis involves looking at the entire body.
Speaker A:Let me talk you through what this might look like.
Speaker A:First of all, let's be clear.
Speaker A:Your foot is in pain.
Speaker A:That's a problem.
Speaker A:Your brain and your nerve endings need to calm down for a bit.
Speaker A:So how's your magnesium level?
Speaker A:That's an important aspect.
Speaker A:Are you getting enough high quality deep and REM sleep?
Speaker A:How much time can you arrange to not be putting pressure on the foot so you cannot be in pain so things can calm down?
Speaker A:Second of all, there's stress to the foot.
Speaker A:Too much stress is causing pain.
Speaker A:So where's the stress coming from?
Speaker A:Well, how much time during the day are you spending applying weight or pressure to your foot, standing, walking?
Speaker A:How much emotional stress are you currently experiencing these days and is that likely to stop anytime soon?
Speaker A:Emotional stress is the same as physical stress.
Speaker A:Your body knows this even if you aren't ready to admit it.
Speaker A:What can we do to relieve some of the emotional and physical stress so that your foot doesn't hurt so much?
Speaker A:Then we can go to the health of the foot.
Speaker A:There's not enough flexibility in the tissues to allow fluid to flow through the area, so there's some swelling.
Speaker A:Maybe there's just not enough fluid at all.
Speaker A:The fluid gets trapped in the foot, but it's having trouble making it back up the leg to the heart.
Speaker A:Maybe it's having trouble getting down to the foot to begin with.
Speaker A:How much time during the day are you sitting or standing with your feet lower than your heart?
Speaker A:Are you getting whole body movement throughout the day?
Speaker A:Or is the body too stiff and still and the fluence too stagnant for you to feel out of pain?
Speaker A:Do you purposely spend time daily with your feet higher than your heart to improve fluid into and out of the foot area?
Speaker A:Maybe there's a hydration problem with the tissues of your foot, which actually means of your entire body.
Speaker A:Are you drinking enough water?
Speaker A:Do you drink water and then pee it right back out 20 or 30 minutes later?
Speaker A:That water never had time to get to the bottom of your feet, just to your bladder?
Speaker A:Do you have balanced mineral electrolytes in your bloodstream in order to properly deliver the water to the bottom of your feet?
Speaker A:Should we add minerals to your diet by adding different foods, herbal teas or supplements?
Speaker A:So hopefully you can see how we made use of the connections between the various systems of the body in order to deal with your foot pain.
Speaker A:We started with the foot's experience of being in pain, but we branched into movement, hydration, nutrition, your brain, your nervous system, and your emotions.
Speaker A:So think about a recent issue that the universe presented to you.
Speaker A:Maybe an injury, maybe an illness, maybe something else.
Speaker A:How can you think more holistically about your solutions?
Speaker A:If you would like help and opportunities to put this new way of thinking into practice, consider joining us at the next Intentional Vitality Retreat.
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