Health & Wellbeing: A holistic alternative to the January gym membership

AFTER overindulging during the Christmas period and enjoying the sweet pleasure of refined sugars and alcohol, our body deserves a retreat.

Like everything else in life, balance is the key. Our body thrives when we bring it into balance. So, it is our job to do our best to find a way to bring in it balance as quickly as possible after an overindulging period as our physical and mental health depends on it.

The statistics show that our mental and physical health is usually deteriorating in January due to the lack of sunlight and exposure to the cold weather. But another important element is our immune system being under huge pressure trying to catch up with our diet over the Christmas period.

And if all our bodies physical natural resources concentrate on detoxing ourselves after the overindulging period, there is not much left in our “pocket” for our brain and mental health.

The question is what we can do to support our body to work optimally and to prevent us getting sick or to suffer from mental health problems.

As we all know, there is a general mantra for January “New year, new me” or “New year, new habits”.

And how better can we prove to ourselves that we will start doing something for our bodies than investing in a gym membership?

But looking at a few statistics, we can see a shocking figure of 50% of the memberships bought around New Year's are being cancelled by the end of January.

That tells us that the gym membership is not enough and there is a bit more to be done for our physical and mental health.

Exercising and moving our bodies remain VITAL but we are more than our physical bodies and we need to work using a holistic approach to achieve a sustainable health.

By addressing only the physical needs of our body we are neglecting our mind and soul and subsequently, our overall wellbeing is being affected.

The holistic approach of our health dates as far back as Hippocrates.

Holistic care is not only an alternative to the traditional medical care. Holistic care is a complementary therapeutic approach which addresses the body, mind, and soul needs.

We are so lucky to have in Limerick an amazing place that bring under one umbrella a wide range of holistic therapies.

In The Urban Co-Op, we have a Wellbeing Hub where you can find exactly what you need for bringing your body in balance.

Bringing a unique concept of Community Clinic you have the opportunity to try holistic therapies from: Reiki, Kinesiology, Nutritional Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Ayurveda Therapy, Energy Therapy, Meditation and many more.

Using a very unique concept, the Community Clinic runs every Friday as a walk-in holistic clinic where you can benefit from a bio-individual approach for your mind, body and soul's unique needs.

Their goal is to offer a comprehensive all-inclusive approach to clients, to allow communities direct and immediate access to essential therapy services