Self healing is a journey that looks different for everyone. However, there are some key principles that all healers must follow. These include physiology, psychology, and spiritual aspects.
Practicing meditation, breathing exercises and self-hypnosis can be helpful in achieving emotional and physical balance. Developing supportive relationships is also important. It is also a good idea to practice gratitude, which helps reduce stress.
Self-love
Self-love means recognizing your worth and taking actions that make you feel good, says therapist Jalissa Shelby, LCPC. It includes activities like setting aside time to move/stretch, creating a mood-boosting playlist and making the time to practice mindfulness.
Practicing self-love also helps you set healthy boundaries with people and situations. Everyone has a finite amount of energy, and constantly putting that energy into toxic relationships or emotionally draining situations can leave you feeling exhausted. Self-love can teach you to put your needs first, which may mean getting a little space from your cousin who brings up your recent divorce at every family gathering.
Self-love can also include forgiving yourself when you disappoint or make mistakes, explains therapist Nina Polyne, PsyD. She recommends noticing how you talk to yourself when you make a mistake and shifting that negative inner dialogue to something more loving. This can be as simple as replacing “you’re stupid” with “that was an honest mistake.” Self-love can also be as big as creating a safe zone for yourself, such as your own private bedroom or your favorite spot in nature.
Meditation
Meditation is a great tool for healing. It allows you to switch off the “fight-or-flight” stress response and activates the “rest-and-relaxation” response of your parasympathetic nervous system. It helps reduce the overall stress and anxiety in your body, and it can even help with autoimmune conditions.
Research shows that meditation has long-term benefits. In one study, researchers found that after six and 12-month follow-ups, meditation systematically reduced cortisol levels and blood pressure. It also lowered inflammation patterns in the immune system, which can slow healing.
In the beginning, it can be difficult to meditate for healing purposes. But, like learning a new language or practicing an instrument, it requires practice and persistence. As you continue to meditate, your mind will begin to calm down, and you can become more present in the moment. It will also help you accept what you cannot change and focus on what you can control, such as your breathing. In the end, you will realize that you are more than your tingling legs or irritable bowel.
Affirmations
Affirmations are phrases that, when repeated regularly (either aloud or to yourself), can change negative thought patterns and boost self-esteem and motivation. They can also help you persevere during difficult times and reduce stress. It is important to choose affirmations that relate to your personal goals and feel authentic to you. Some people prefer to recite their affirmations daily, while others like to put them on a vision board or turn them into music.
It’s important to remember that positive affirmations won’t work if you don’t take action and follow through on your goals. If you’re struggling with mental health concerns or unhealed trauma, it may be time to seek a professional.
Affirmations are best used in combination with visualization exercises, which are a scientifically-backed way to retrain your brain and change negative thoughts. This helps you achieve your goals and visualize the results of your efforts. When performed correctly, these techniques can lift your consciousness toward superconsciousness, or divine guidance.
Reading books
Reading books has been shown to improve your memory, cognitive function and overall health. It is also an excellent way to decompress and relax. It is a great alternative to other unhealthy forms of entertainment, such as watching movies or playing video games. You can read a book anywhere you go. Reading helps you relax, which can help you sleep better at night.
According to research, bibliotherapy can be used to treat anxiety and depression. Bibliotherapy involves choosing and reading books that speak to your current issues or needs. It can also help you build relationships with characters and learn empathy.
Many people find comfort in self-help books. They provide valuable advice and insights, such as how to overcome toxic relationships and habits. They can also teach you how to heal from emotional trauma. Many popular celebrities, such as Novak Djokovic and Khloe Kardashian, have praised the self-help book What My Bones Knows by Foo, a memoir about her journey with PTSD.
