Art of Life/Donna Parker
Self Healing?
We have been led to believe that when we get sick, it is due to our genetic makeup, or our bad luck and that doctors alone hold the keys to optimal health. Here is the best-kept secret of medicine: the body can heal itself if we create the right conditions and stop doing the things that caused the illness or injury in the first place.
We live in an imperfect world where our immune systems and overall health can become negatively affected by our exterior circumstances. Exposure to chemicals, processed foods, deprivation of nutrients and minerals and stress, to name a few. Furthermore, did you know that science has proven that 80 percent of disease is caused by stress? Often times, the majority of us get so distracted by everything going on around us that we forget to check in with ourselves. We experience early symptoms and fail to notice them because we are too busy stressing and subconsciously digging a deeper hole.
Believe it or not, the body is actually designed to heal itself. It assists in fighting away disease and illness. For example, our bodies try to burn away bacteria and viruses with fevers, or we experience inflammation and swelling due to immune cells rushing to that area of your body.
Science has proven that there is a clear connection between the way your brain thinks and the way your body feels. Just like you can use your body to reduce your psychological distress, you can also use your mind to improve your body. Simply changing the way you think and taking charge of what occupies your mind, can improve your physical health and well-being. While positive thinking will not cure everything, a healthy mindset is a key component to a healthy body.
Everyone has the ability to build mental strength. With practice, mental exercises could be the key to living a longer, happier and healthier life. Your mind can be your best asset or your worst enemy. However, you can learn how to train your brain to help your body perform at its peak.
Neurobiologist Dr. Candace Pert has proven that neuropeptides are in fact thoughts converted into matter. Neuropeptides are chemicals that are triggered by emotion — which happen to be present throughout your entire body. For example, during an experiment, some patients are given sugar pills and begin healing simply due to the fact that they believe they are healing. In medical terms this is referred to as ‘placebo effect.’ When you convince your brain that you are currently experiencing your desired outcome by elevating your emotional vibration with thoughts of gratitude or joy, your brain will fire new neurons that can ultimately lead to epigenetic changes in your DNA.
Once you start believing, you must start listening. So often, we lose connection with our bodies and we miss the first few signs of disease or sickness; i.e: fatigueness, soreness, mood swings, headaches etc. Your body is a vehicle that your intuition uses to communicate to you; ask yourself what it is your body is trying to tell you.
Another crucial point in embracing your healing powers is realizing that healing does not apply to just physical circumstances. A huge flaw in Western medicine is the lack of emphasis on finding the root cause of your illness. Instead we focus primarily on subsiding physical symptoms. You must determine what aspects of your life are triggering your stress. Finding the root cause is essential in your healing process.
Now what? You have determined what has triggered your body to react in such ways, and now you need to take action and control of your life and health! Perhaps your new self-prescription includes diet changes, a more organized schedule, time dedicated for yourself, or maybe it includes removing toxic relationships or jobs from your life. Maybe it includes following your heart over your anxious mind. Now the only question is: Are you ready to heal yourself? Here are a few ways you can use your mind to promote physical health
Reiki is a type of energy healing. According to practitioners, energy can become stagnate in the body where there has been a physical injury or even emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness. Reiki aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Reiki practitioners believe that improving the flow of energy around the body can enable relaxation, relieve pain, speed healing, and reduce other symptoms of illness. This is my preferred method and I would highly recommend going to a certified healer/instructor, for assistance or to learn how to do it accurately.
Write down your thoughts in a journal. Establish a regular journaling practice. Start with 15 to 20 minutes, and then increase as needed. Journaling increases your self-awareness while also allowing you to tap into your subconscious mind.
Inner visualization can be used to help you focus on a troubled area and then to imagine yourself radiating positive healing energy toward that area. First, imagine the troubled area to be healed. Follow up by imaging how good you will feel without that issue. Stay with that sensation for a few minutes, per session.
Being optimistic can boost your immunity. Several studies have shown that optimistic people are less likely to get sick. Apparently having a positive outlook actually influences immunity.
Laughing. If you want to build a healthier heart, think about something funny. Research has shown that laughter decreases stress hormones, increases 'good' cholesterol, and reduces artery inflammation. Perhaps the best news is, the positive effects of laughter last 24 hours.
Be in Joy.
