Becoming our own healer
Your health doesn’t rely solely on your doctor - it lies in your own hands. During the conference “A holistic approach to wellness: reclaim your health and be your own healer”, organised by the Art, Culture and Sports (ACS) department, Health & Wellness Coach Hugues Maigrot shared an enlightening perspective with Eclosia employees: a holistic approach to well-being that encourages everyone to take back control of their physical, mental, and emotional vitality.
“Wellness is not one thing. It’s everything,” he says. That was the common thread throughout this rich, lively, and accessible talk. This wasn’t about following fad diets or locking yourself into a rigid routine — but rather about understanding, feeling, experimenting, and making conscious choices.
1. Understand before you act
The first step: knowing where our imbalances come from. Hugues Maigrot discussed 'metabolic syndromes' - often invisible warning signs that can lead to chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and high levels of bad cholesterol. “These conditions don’t appear out of nowhere. They’re the result of our lifestyle. ”And the good news? That same lifestyle can be the remedy. By adjusting your diet, sleep, physical activity, connection to nature, and stress regulation, you can gradually restore balance.
2. The microbiome: a silent ally
One of the most surprising parts of the talk: our microbiome — the collection of bacteria that inhabit our bodies - plays a crucial role. “We are more microbes than humans.” A fact that’s both unsettling and fascinating. These microorganisms influence not only digestion but also our immune system, mood, and food cravings. So how do we care for them? By eating a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and plant diversity.
“Eat for your microbes,” the coach advises. And avoid ultra-processed foods as much as possible - they lack nutritional value and are often harmful to the body.
3. Move to live fully
Another essential pillar: movement. “We were not made to be sedentary,” says Hugues Maigrot.
Move every day - do strength training, walk, dance, garden… everything counts, as long as you move. Because beyond physical fitness, what’s at stake is your long-term autonomy. “Physical activity is the best way to age healthily - not just to grow old.”
4. What if everything starts with sleep?
Sleep is not a luxury - it’s a basic need. In fact, according to Maigrot, it’s the key moment when the body regenerates. He highlighted the importance of circadian rhythms and quality rest at night.
Better sleep means silent healing.
5. The vagus nerve: a hidden superpower
To escape the state of constant stress that modern life often traps us in, we need to activate the 'parasympathetic nervous system' - the one responsible for rest, digestion, and recovery.
How? Through simple techniques like "4-7-8 breathing", singing, or spending time in nature. These are all ways to activate the vagus nerve, a powerful communication highway between our brain and internal organs.
6. Nurture connection
Finally, one often overlooked ingredient came through strongly: human connection. Hugues Maigrot referred to the “Blue Zones” - regions in the world where people live long and healthy lives. Their secret? A simple diet, regular physical activity… and strong social bonds. “Meeting, talking, laughing — it heals just as much as anything else.”