Self healing looks different for everyone but there are a few principles that you can use to start your journey. This will help you to get the most out of your experience and become a more resilient person.
The nine experts and six older adults interviewed for this study described self-healing as involving four themes. These included physiology, psychology, and interpersonal relations.
1. Take Care of Yourself
Self healing means learning to take care of yourself. One way to do this is by scheduling time in your day for things that bring you joy. This could be a bath, reading a book or listening to music. Another way to take care of yourself is to eat healthy and exercise regularly. If you have a busy schedule, try to plan ahead by preparing meals for the week or packing snacks like nuts and granola bars.
When people have inner wounds, they often become very sensitive and react to small things easily. They may cry over trivial things, get angry over minor disagreements or develop negative thoughts and feelings such as pessimism or despair.
Taking care of yourself is important for your mental and physical health. It’s like the advice you hear on airplanes: put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Without a healthy mind and body, you can’t be there for the people who matter most to you.
2. Talk to Someone
People who self harm often feel very isolated and alone, so talking to someone can be a good way of getting some support. This could be a friend, family member or therapist.
Be prepared to feel a range of emotions when you talk to someone about their self-injury. You may feel shocked, helpless, guilty or angry – but these feelings are normal.
Listen without judgement. Many people who self-harm have been criticised, labelled as selfish or a bad person for hurting themselves. Being non-judgmental can help to build trust and allow them to open up more.
Try to be empathetic and understand that self-harm is usually a way of dealing with difficult or painful experiences. It is not a choice they have made willingly, and it will take time for them to find new ways of coping. Keep checking in and celebrate their successes – like a length of time they have gone without self harming or if they make a doctor’s appointment to get help.
3. Meditate
Meditation is a spiritual practice that can help speed up the healing process of your illness. It can help you think more clearly and learn to let go of the stressors that cause you to react negatively in difficult situations. It also helps you to develop a stronger sense of self and compassion towards others.
It is important to note that meditating can take some time to master. It is best to try to meditate twice a day for 20 minutes or more. This will help you heal faster than if you were to only meditate for 2 or 3 minutes at a time.
During meditation, you can focus on your breath or your body. You can also use guided imagery. This involves picturing yourself in a circle of loved ones who have shown you love and kindness. This is one way to meditate for healing that can improve a person’s mental health and boost the immune system. It can even decrease levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.
4. Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care is an important part of overall health, which can help with coping and recovery from mental illness. It is the act of caring for all aspects of oneself, including physical, spiritual, emotional, and social well being.
Practicing self care can include everything from getting enough sleep to exercising regularly to prioritizing healthy eating. It can also involve establishing and maintaining relationships with family and friends, and volunteering or supporting a cause that is important to you.
Self-care can be difficult to practice for some people because it is often viewed as selfish. However, there are many ways to engage in self-care that don’t cost much. For example, spending time in nature can be a free form of self-care that can help to reduce stress and increase positivity. It can also include setting attainable financial goals and meeting those goals, which can promote feelings of accomplishment. In addition, it can be beneficial to set aside time for activities that you enjoy on a daily basis.
