Moving from 'What's the Matter' to 'What Matters'
Whole health represents a significant shift from the conventional, reactive healthcare model that focuses on diagnosing and treating specific diseases once symptoms appear. Instead, whole health engages the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—in a proactive, purpose-driven partnership. This approach empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being by understanding what matters most to them in life, rather than just what is wrong with them.
The Foundational Principles of Whole Health
The approach is built upon a set of interconnected principles that guide care and empower individuals and communities. While different models may emphasize various elements, the core tenets remain consistent.
1. Person-Centered and Purpose-Driven
At its heart, whole health is centered on the individual's unique story and values. It begins with asking, “What matters to you?” This exploration helps a person define their 'Mission, Aspiration, and Purpose' (MAP). All subsequent health goals and care plans are co-created to align with this personal mission, ensuring that care is highly personalized and meaningful. This is in stark contrast to standardized treatment protocols that overlook individual preferences and life goals.
2. Comprehensive and Holistic
This principle acknowledges that a person's health is more than the sum of its parts. It requires considering all aspects of a person's state of being, including:
- Physical Well-being: Encompassing nutrition, exercise, sleep, and medical care (both conventional and integrative).
- Mental and Emotional Health: Addressing stress, anxiety, resilience, and mindful awareness.
- Spiritual Connection: Cultivating a sense of meaning and purpose, which can be expressed through religion, nature, art, or community service.
- Social Relationships: Recognizing that strong connections with family, friends, and coworkers are vital for emotional support and resilience.
3. Upstream-Focused and Proactive
Whole health goes upstream to address the root causes of poor health, rather than simply managing downstream symptoms. This means focusing on prevention and early intervention by tackling socioecological factors, such as health behaviors and the social and structural determinants of health. These determinants—which include poverty, housing, food, and education—often have a far greater impact on health than conventional medical care. Empowering individuals with tools and resources to adopt healthier behaviors and navigate their environment is a central goal.
4. Interprofessional Team-Based Care
No single provider can fully support a person's whole health journey. The model relies on interprofessional teams that seamlessly coordinate care across various sectors. This team extends beyond medical professionals to include integrative health practitioners, health coaches, social services, and community members. Trusting, longitudinal relationships between the person and their care team are fundamental to this model.
5. Equitable and Accountable
Whole health systems aim to provide high-quality, evidence-based care that ensures health equity. This involves being accountable to the communities they serve and proactively reaching out to those who may be in greatest need. By addressing the root causes of inequity and removing barriers to care, whole health strives to make well-being accessible to everyone.
6. Team Well-Being
The health and resilience of the care team itself is a critical component. High rates of burnout among healthcare professionals can hinder effective whole health delivery. By prioritizing the team's well-being and creating supportive work environments, whole health systems foster an engaged and effective workforce.
Whole Health vs. Conventional Medicine: A Comparison
| Aspect | Conventional Medicine | Whole Health Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Primarily on diagnosing and treating specific diseases and symptoms. | On the whole person (body, mind, spirit) and their purpose. |
| Patient Role | Often a passive recipient of a physician's directives and treatments. | An active partner and leader in co-creating their health plan. |
| Approach | Reactive—addressing problems once they manifest. | Proactive—emphasizing prevention and health optimization. |
| Treatment | Standardized, evidence-based protocols (medication, surgery) often dominate. | Personalized plans using evidence-based conventional and complementary methods. |
| Determinants | Focuses on biological and genetic factors as the primary drivers of health. | Addresses broader influences like behavior, social needs, and environment. |
How to Begin Your Whole Health Journey
- Define Your Purpose (MAP): Reflect on what gives your life meaning. What do you want your health for? Use these aspirations to set your health goals. A good starting point is the VA.gov Whole Health Library which offers extensive resources.
- Assess the Pillars: Look at your life through the lens of the wellness pillars: sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, relationships, and purpose. Identify which areas are in balance and which could use more attention.
- Practice Mindful Awareness: Pay non-judgmental attention to your symptoms, behaviors, and thought patterns to understand how they affect your health. Simple meditation or deep breathing can help.
- Engage in Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities tailored to your needs. This could be anything from a daily walk to seeking therapy or creative expression.
- Build Your Team: Identify who can support you. This may include a conventional doctor, a health coach, a family member, or a support group. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Find Community: Recognize the community's importance. Connect with friends and family, join a class, or engage in your neighborhood to build your social support network.
The Benefits of Embracing a Whole Health Model
Adopting a whole health approach offers significant advantages beyond simply symptom management. Patients often report improved experiences with their care and better health outcomes. By focusing on prevention and the root causes of illness, it can lead to increased vitality and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life. The proactive nature helps individuals build greater resilience, allowing them to navigate life's challenges more effectively. It encourages a lifelong process of learning and growth, leading to sustained well-being.
Conclusion
By redefining health beyond the mere absence of disease, whole health provides a powerful framework for proactive, person-centered well-being. Its principles—including a holistic focus, upstream perspective, and emphasis on collaboration—guide a shift towards a more comprehensive and equitable approach to health. Moving from a mindset of 'what's the matter' to 'what matters' empowers individuals to be active participants in their healing and growth, leading to a fuller, more vital life.
