A growing movement is emerging that leverages the body’s natural self healing powers. These practices are a powerful and cost effective alternative to prescription medications and traditional healthcare strategies.
Older adults interviewed for this study defined self-healing through three main themes, physiology, psychology and interpersonal relations. They emphasized the importance of exercise, healthy nutrition and good social interactions for their self-healing process.
1. Talk to yourself
The inner voice we hear is called self-talk. It can be positive or negative and it helps us with a variety of things such as emotional regulation, motivation and performance. It can also be helpful in guiding and directing us.
People with unhealed inner wounds often develop negative self-talk. They tend to cry over small things, be offended easily and get angry over trivial matters. They also have difficulty trusting others and may become pessimistic when doing something new.
Negative self-talk can be changed by recognizing that it is not true. For example, if you are criticizing yourself for failing, instead of thinking ‘I am a failure’ think ‘I have tried my best and will try again’. Changing the way you talk to yourself can have massive health benefits. Moreover, it will help you build confidence and love yourself. Try relating to yourself as you would an imaginary friend. This will make you feel compassionate towards yourself, which in turn can subordinate negativity and bring positivity into your life.
2. Be grateful
A major part of trauma treatment is learning to be grateful. It’s easy to take things for granted, but when you focus on consciously being thankful for all the good elements in your life, it can change your mindset from one of lack or loss to one of abundance and satisfaction.
Practicing gratitude can help you appreciate the smaller aspects of your life, such as when someone shows kindness or you get out of bed on a bad day. Gratitude also helps you love yourself, which is an important aspect of self healing.
Try this exercise to start your day feeling grateful: Focus on an aroma you are thankful for. It could be a scent that reminds you of your childhood or something that is new and exciting to you. Next, turn your attention to a sight that you appreciate. Try to find one thing that brings a smile to your face. You’ll be surprised at how many good things you can come up with when you consciously look for them.
3. Exercise
In the figurative sense, self healing refers to systems or processes that tend naturally to correct any disturbances brought into them. Examples include a wound healing itself, or an organism repairing its own tissue.
Exercise is one of the most powerful natural remedies for our body, mind and spirit. It boosts cardiovascular health, builds strength and nurtures flexibility, all while enhancing cognitive function.
Computer science defines self-healing materials as polymers, metals and ceramics that are designed to repair themselves from damage through thermal, mechanical, electrical and chemical means. They are categorized into two distinct classes: autonomic and non-autonomic self-healing materials. Autonomic self-healing materials are the most like living organisms. They deliver repair agents to compromised areas immediately after they are damaged, and operate without any external stimuli or intervention. Non-autonomic self-healing systems most closely resemble the machines that we use to monitor our infrastructure. They perform regular health checks and attempt fixes (such as redeploying services) in an effort to recuperate to their desired states.
4. Eat healthy
The food we choose to eat plays a key role in the body’s natural self-healing abilities. Choosing nutritious whole foods like fruits, veggies and healthy fats can reduce inflammation, protect against disease and improve overall health.
Whether you have a small scrape or a knife cut, consuming the nutrient-dense foods like kale and other dark leafy greens can help the wound heal faster because it contains vitamin K, which helps blood cells group up to clot. Other foods that contain vitamin K are carrots, sweet potatoes and apricots.
Eating a healthy diet can also boost your energy levels, which is critical when you are healing. Make sure to get adequate amounts of carbohydrates, protein and fats in your diet. Try adding a serving of whole grains to each meal or a cup of berries or yogurt to a smoothie. It is also important to drink plenty of water and take digestive support herbs or probiotics if needed.
