Hangry, Tired, and Overwhelmed: Why Holistic Mental Health Works

The term holistic living often brings to mind an alternative lifestyle—one focused on home remedies, natural living, or stepping away from traditional medicine altogether. While more people today are interested in reducing long-term medication use and exploring well-rounded approaches to wellness, holistic living is not about rejecting modern medicine.

Instead, holistic living is about approaching wellness in a complete and intentional way. It recognizes that health is influenced by many interconnected factors, and that lasting well-being comes from supporting the whole person—not just treating symptoms in isolation.

In mental health, a holistic approach means understanding that emotional well-being cannot be fully explained by thoughts or feelings alone. Mental health is shaped by how our thoughts, emotions, physical health, relationships, and daily lives interact with one another. When one area is strained, others are often affected. This is what it means to take a holistic viewpoint of mental health: to understand the mind through the lens of the whole person.

The Interconnected Nature of Mental Health

The popular term “hangry” exists for a reason. Have you ever noticed increased anxiety or irritability after skipping a meal? Difficulty sleeping during periods of intense work stress? A drop in motivation or self-confidence after an emotionally exhausting conversation with someone you care about?

These experiences are not personal flaws. They are real-life examples of how different areas of our lives influence one another. When one system is overwhelmed, the rest often follows. This interconnectedness is the foundation of the whole-person (holistic) approach to mental health.

The Whole-Person (Holistic) Health Model

1. Biological (Physical Health)Sleep, energy levels, nutrition, movement, physical health conditions, chronic pain, hormones, and medications all play a role in emotional regulation. When the body is depleted or dysregulated, mental resilience becomes harder to access.

2. Psychological (Mental & Emotional Health)Thought patterns, emotions, coping skills, trauma history, stress responses, and emotional regulation shape how we view ourselves and interpret the world around us.

3. Social & Relational HealthRelationships, family dynamics, community, belonging, work or school environments, and support systems matter. Humans are wired for connection, and strained relationships often impact mental health.

4. Daily Routines & StructureConsistent routines, responsibilities, boundaries, and self-care habits provide stability. Predictability helps regulate the nervous system and supports emotional balance.

5. Purpose, Meaning & ValuesIdentity, values, creativity, spirituality, goals, and a sense of direction give life meaning beyond survival and guide long-term growth.

Holistic Living: Progress Over Perfection

Holistic living is not about doing everything perfectly or asking, “What’s wrong with me?” It’s about identifying small, intentional changes that support the entire system. By focusing on balance rather than perfection, holistic living helps people build a life that feels sustainable, supportive, and aligned with their values—a life worth living.

Practical Ways to Begin

• Give yourself grace—you are a work in progress• Start small by focusing on one or two areas of life• Write out goals and identify what you want to strengthen• Prioritize connection, rest, and balance• Seek professional support to better understand how these areas interact

References

Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136.

World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization.

Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Developing Mind. Guilford Press.

American Psychological Association. (2019). The biopsychosocial approach to mental health treatment.

Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and Recovery. Basic Books.