.png)
Holistic Healing: Exploring Alternative Therapies for Wellness
- Debbie Roppo
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Holistic Healing: Exploring Alternative Therapies for Wellness:
There was a time in my life when I wore busyness like a badge of honor. I thought
overworking was the price I had to pay to succeed. But what I didn’t realize then was
that constantly pushing myself—ignoring my exhaustion, suppressing my emotions, and
disregarding what my body was trying to tell me—was doing more than wearing me
down. It was turning on a gene I didn’t even know I carried.
In 2013, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the time, I was working as the
office coordinator at an orthopedic surgeon’s office—pushing myself constantly, rarely
resting, and ignoring what my body was trying to tell me. I now understand that the
relentless pressure I placed on myself in that environment played a major role in
triggering the gene I carried. Science tells us that genes can be activated or
deactivated based on our environment, stress levels, diet, and lifestyle—a process
known as epigenetics. In other words, while I may have carried the RA gene, it was the
combination of stress, lack of sleep, emotional suppression, and burnout that flipped the
switch.
What is Holistic Health?
Holistic health is an approach that honors the entire person—body, mind, emotion, and
spirit. It recognizes that every part of us is connected, and that we can’t fully heal one
area without supporting the others. It’s not just about fixing symptoms—it’s about
understanding the root cause and creating harmony in all aspects of life.
For businesswomen and entrepreneurs, this matters more than we think. Many of us
spend years pushing through discomfort, fueled by deadlines and determination. But in
the long run, ignoring our emotional and physical needs can cost us more than we
gain.
It’s not just about fixing symptoms—it’s about understanding the root cause and creating harmony in all aspects of life.
Why Holistic Healing Matters in Business?
When I finally slowed down and took a holistic approach to my own healing, I didn’t just feel better physically—I became more focused, more creative, and more aligned
with my purpose. I’ve worked with women who run businesses, lead teams, and care
for others—but who quietly suffer from fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, anxiety, and
disconnection from their deeper selves.
Through holistic healing, many of them have discovered not only better health but more
clarity, confidence, and capacity to lead. In fact, the American Institute of Stress
reports that unmanaged stress can impair cognitive function, emotional stability, and
even decision-making—all things we rely on as leaders.
Key Pillars of Holistic Wellness:
Here are the core areas I now focus on, in both my personal life and with clients, that
support true, lasting wellness:
1. Physical Wellbeing: Treating the Body as a Temple
Your physical body is the vessel through which you live your purpose. It needs strength,
stamina, and nourishment to carry you through the demands of business and life.
I started with small shifts—cleaning up my diet, drinking purified water, and reducing my toxic load. I removed processed foods and prioritized whole, nutrient-dense options that support cellular health and reduce inflammation.
Science note: Chronic stress and poor nutrition have been linked to mitochondrial
dysfunction, which can decrease cellular energy and contribute to disease. Supporting
the body through movement, sleep, hydration, and real food helps restore energy at the
cellular level.
2. Emotional Wellbeing: Releasing What We’ve Suppressed
I used to suppress my emotions to appear strong, especially in professional settings.
But that emotional bottling was contributing to my physical symptoms.
I began journaling, practicing self-compassion, and exploring emotional release
techniques. I also studied emotional eating psychology, which helped me understand
how many women use food to soothe emotions they don’t have space to express.
Emotional health is now one of the foundations of my coaching practice. We cannot
ignore it—emotions live in the body, and when unprocessed, they create stress,
fatigue, and tension.
We cannot ignore it—emotions live in the body, and when unprocessed, they create stress,fatigue, and tension.
3. Mental Wellbeing: Redefining Success and Productivity:
We’ve been conditioned to believe that success is hustle, busyness, and achievement
at any cost. But I’ve learned that true productivity comes from alignment, not
pressure.
When my mind is calm and focused, I make better decisions and experience less
overwhelm. I now prioritize mental clarity by practicing mindfulness, setting clear
boundaries, and reprogramming limiting beliefs.
Science note: Studies show that chronic stress alters brain function, affecting memory,
attention, and emotional regulation. Holistic practices like meditation and breathwork
have been shown to improve mental function and reduce stress hormones like cortisol.
4. Spiritual Wellbeing: Living with Purpose
For me, spirituality isn’t about religion—it’s about remembering who I truly am and why
I’m here. I call this my spirit mind—the deeper knowing that lives in my heart and
guides my decisions.
When I was disconnected from this part of myself, I made choices that looked
successful on the outside but left me depleted inside. Once I started letting my spirit
mind lead—letting decisions flow from alignment—I found peace, confidence, and
clarity.
Heart-brain coherence, studied by organizations like the HeartMath Institute, shows
that when we lead from our heart space, we experience reduced stress, improved
decision-making, and deeper fulfillment.
How to Start Your Own Holistic Healing Journey
If any part of this resonates with you, know this: you don’t need to overhaul your life
overnight. Small steps create massive change over time.
Start here:
Drink more clean water.
Move your body daily in a way that feels good.
Give yourself permission to feel your feelings.
Journal. Meditate. Breathe deeply.
Ask: “Is this choice aligned with who I am and what I value?”
Work with someone who sees you as whole—not broken.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Too Late to Begin Again
Holistic healing isn’t just about health—it’s about coming home to yourself.If you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply a woman trying to juggle it all, I want you to know: you don’t have to choose between success and wellness. When you support your body, mind, emotions, and spirit—you don’t just survive. You thrive.
That RA diagnosis? It cracked me open. But it also revealed a new path, one that led
me to health coaching and to a life I never thought possible. A life of alignment,
purpose, and peace.
Holistic healing isn’t just about health—it’s about coming home to yourself,
Meet the expert:
Debbie Roppo is a Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach who founded Debbie Roppo Health Coach in 2018 after reversing her Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms in 2013. With certifications in Integrative Nutrition and Emotional Eating Psychology, Debbie empowers women to transform their health so they can thrive personally and professionally. Drawing from her own experience as an entrepreneur, she guides clients through personalized, holistic approaches that align mind, body, emotion, and purpose.
Dive Deeper Into Her Wealth of Knowledge:
Follow: