What is holistic health?: Interview with Linda Curtis of holistically happy you

What is holistic health?

So many of us are looking beyond Western forms of healthcare and searching for an approach that encompasses your body, mind and soul.

That’s where a holistic approach to health comes in. Holistic wellbeing aims to care for you as a complete and complex human being, rather than just targeting a specific disease or health issue.

Who better to explain why a holistic approach is so important than our friend Linda Curtis, a holistic healthcare practitioner? Now a successful businesswoman and founder of Holistically Happy You, she’s passionate about encouraging others to embrace a holistic lifestyle too.

But how did that come about, and what lessons does Linda have for those of us who want to give holistic living a go, but are unsure of where to start?

Holistically Happy You

In 2014, Linda got the news that nobody ever wants to hear. “Prior to my diagnosis, I was struggling with emotional and gut issues back home in California, for as long as I can remember” she recalls. “I had no idea that the thyroid played a significant role in both, so when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, things started to make a bit more sense.”

That difficult piece of news set Linda off on a journey of discovery. Despite the ordeal of her diagnosis, seven years later, she has plenty of positives to look back on. She is now a plant-based chef and recipe developer. In 2019, she was certified as a holistic health practitioner, and is currently studying to become a nutritional therapist.

She has also turned her passion into a nutrition health one-to-one coaching business, Holistically Happy You, to help others on their journey.

“I am incredibly passionate about the power of plants and love the fact that I am helping people change their lives by guiding them to make sustainable changes,” she explains. “Just  hearing that my clients are feeling more energetic, happier and more vibrant means the world to me.”

Linda’s own experiences have meant she has a special interest in working with those in recovery from cancer. However, she also helps people who are simply looking to transition to a more plant-based lifestyle and need a bit of extra guidance.

Working with cancer survivors

Linda was inspired to get into holistic wellbeing by her own experiences. But she was also influenced  by watching other cancer survivors struggle with a lack of support to get back on track once their treatment had ended.

She noticed that after they’ve completed their treatment, a lot of cancer survivors want to make changes in their lives to take better care of their wellbeing. However, there aren’t many resources available to help them do that.

“Many cancer survivors are struggling with depression, uncertainty, lack of confidence, loss of appetite, gut and fatigue issues,” says Linda. “I guide them through wellness and self-care strategies which are tailored for them.”

After long periods of arduous treatments, it can be tricky for some people to make the transition back to prioritising their diet. She aims to help them fall back in love with food.

“Often, they have no idea what to eat, but want to make healthier choices, so I help guide my clients to eat more plants and find that creativity and spark in the kitchen!”

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