What exactly is “holistic health”? It’s not just about nutrition or acupuncture or massage therapy. Holistic health is an approach to healthcare that considers the “whole” person and all aspects of the body and mind. There is no single aspect of your life to focus on, no one cure-all for your problems. It is not necessarily about losing weight or getting to the gym. It’s about finding balance across your life, as a whole, and in the process, finding health and happiness too.

How does one actually do this? Of course, there is no single answer that works for every person. One important aspect of holistic health is that we must take responsibility for our own well-being. Personally, I know that spending time outside is integral to my mental health. I can’t spend too many hours between four walls before I start to feel anxious and restless. Whether I am hiking, skiing, rock climbing, cycling or just sitting in my camp chair with my feet up, I need the great outdoors to feel satisfied in my life.

While this certainly won’t be the same for everyone, there is a definite correlation between time spent outside, physical activity and mental health. Proximity to green spaces reduces stress and depression. Absorbing vitamin D from the sun will improve your mood and reduce anxiety. And of course, regular exercise will support both mental and physical health,improve your quality of sleep, and help ward off heart disease, diabetes and obesity.