The Power Of Holistic Beauty & Why It Is More Relevant Than Ever

by Tatiana Dias

Beauty, from a 360-degree perspective

There is no denying that the idea of beauty has long been one-dimensional. After all, at one point we all were coerced into believing that success was measured by how fair or dark-skinned you were. Evidently, beauty has always been viewed from an external perspective. Have a problem? There’s a product to fix it. But, more importantly, the problem is driven from a place of fear and insecurity; every solution can be found externally, at the bottom of a tub of cream.
For years, this bandaid approach has created a vicious cycle — each season bringing its own set of new insecurities. From ageing skin *it’s natural, so why run away from it* to dark underarms *all melanin is good melanin*, the cornerstone of beauty has been dramatically externalised and for no good reason! In the process, we have completely ignored the fact that a lot of what’s on the outside, also stems from the inside. And that’s where holistic beauty steps in.
What Is Holistic Beauty?

Think of holistic beauty as a well-rounded and wellness-focused approach to beauty. The word ‘holos’ in Greek translates to whole and that’s what holistic beauty is — a ‘whole’ outlook to beauty, and the holistic approach weighs internal wellness as significantly as external care.

It takes into account the mind, body, and soul because, at the end of the day, everything is interconnected.

Vitality plays an important role in beauty. In traditional beauty, however, vitality is seen from a pigeon-holed perspective of ageing, for which the “fix” lies within the formulas of multiple creams and serums. In holistic beauty though, the approach involves balancing out your prana or chi, which in turn balances out your mind, body, and soul, giving you a more long-term, holistic solution that’s all-rounded.

 

The Mind, Body, Soul Connection

Holistic beauty stems from self-care and self-love, which often means accepting the insecurities we’ve been conditioned to fear — because only when you feel your best, do you look your best. The approach is simple: your mind and body cannot function without each other and therefore need to be addressed simultaneously. 

Its Relevance In The 21st Century

Living in the 21st century means dealing with stress which, unfortunately, is the linchpin for many health issues that impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Keeping the mind, body, and soul at the centre, a holistic approach allows you to delve into the root cause of the issue. In a lifestyle that glorifies the hustle culture, holistic beauty plays a crucial role —  it is the need of the hour for a more balanced, healthier, and harmonized lifestyle.

 How To Approach Holistic Beauty
 #1: Mind 

 

While there’s no escaping daily stress, one can maintain it through different avenues. Dive into calming activities that harbour a positive environment for your mind. Spend time journaling, meditating, or opting for other therapies like sound baths, grounding, spending time in nature, and other calming activities that not only help reduce stress but also encourage you to slow down, reflect, and re-energize both your body and mind. Think self-care and self-love.

#2: Body

Your body is a temple, so treat it right — not just by applying the right things, but also by following a routine that helps maintain its health. This means eating right, sleeping well, and exercising. Remember when we said it’s all interconnected? When you exercise, you essentially oxygenate your body and mind. This in turn releases happy hormones like dopamine, endorphins, and adrenaline, all of which stimulate your overall health and mental wellbeing.

#3: And most importantly, soul

Self-love is key. Involve yourself in activities that spark joy and make you happy. Dance, spend quality time with your loved ones, drown out the everyday noise in nature by going for hikes, treks or nature walks or being part of a larger community that makes you thrive. Remember, no amount of external self-care can help, if there’s no self-love, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. So treat yourself with kindness and love.

Simply put, approaching beauty holistically is the key to a healthy mind, body, and spirit — it’s wellness, skincare, haircare, and mental and physical well-being combined!