Self healing can be a powerful experience that will transform you and help you to heal your body and mind. It also helps you to save money for national healthcare systems by reducing the need for costly medical treatment.
There are many different ways to heal yourself and your journey will look a bit differently from one person to the next. However, there are some key principles that will apply to everyone on this journey.
Self-love
A strong sense of internal worth lets the empowering part of you that self-soothes and boosts courage rise to the surface. This shift is the key to releasing emotional blocks and healing trauma. People without a solid sense of love for themselves can’t meet their inner fear with kindness and instead get overwhelmed by it.
Prioritizing yourself means doing things like eating well and getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and scheduling a daily micro moment to check in with how you’re feeling. It also means making sure you prioritize time to do what gives your life meaning and happiness. Maybe that’s spending time with family or friends, reading a book, volunteering, or taking a trip to recharge.
And when you make mistakes or disappoint others, practicing forgiveness for yourself is a big part of self-love. Dwelling on these issues, or blaming yourself for something that’s out of your control can raise stress levels and cause health problems.
Self-compassion
Self-compassion is a practice that involves showing kindness to yourself when you experience pain or setbacks. It is an important step in overcoming negative inner criticism, which can cause anxiety and depression. It can also help you let go of perfectionism and build resilience.
Studies show that self-compassion is linked to emotional wellbeing, including increased feelings of happiness, optimism, curiosity, and connectedness. It also reduces rumination, stress and fear of failure. It can be learned by practicing mindfulness techniques.
One way to practice self-compassion is to treat yourself as if you were treating a friend in distress. For example, you might comfort your body by massaging it or putting your hands on your heart and repeating a positive statement. It is also helpful to learn how to label your emotions, which you can do by journaling or using a feelings and needs list. For more information on developing self compassion, Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer have a number of resources available, including downloadable guided practice meditations.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness is a tool that can be used to understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence each other. This knowledge helps you improve your self-control or regulating emotions and behaviors, improve mental health, develop relationships, and lead a happier life.
It can be as simple as recognizing your stomach lurch when you realize you forgot to study or feeling your heart flutter when you see someone you are attracted to. It can also be a more complex process, such as observing yourself during meditation or working with a therapist to address negative thought patterns.
Being self-aware can also help you become more empathetic and understanding towards others. For example, if you are aware that your immediate reaction is to scold an employee for making a mistake, it may help you learn to be more patient. This can improve the workplace environment and build relationships. Being self-aware is a continuous process, and it requires commitment and practice.
Self-care
Taking care of yourself on a daily basis can help you feel healthier. It can also increase your sense of purpose and self-worth. It can even boost your quality of life and improve relationships with family members. Practicing self-care can help you deal with stressors and avoid burnout.
Self-care can be any activity that makes you feel good. It can be anything from a relaxing bath to a cup of coffee with a friend. It can even include a kickabout in the park or an afternoon at the movies.
It’s important to care for yourself mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. Try to find a balance in each domain and keep it up as best you can. You may need more self-care in one area than another, but it’s crucial to maintain a healthy balance. Self-care can help you stay motivated, productive, and energized. It’s essential to practice self-care every day to prevent burnout. The benefits of self-care include a decrease in stress, better work performance, and improved health.
