Self healing is a process that requires you to be honest with yourself. It involves acknowledging your feelings without judgement and using spiritual practices to nurture yourself.
Ancient teachings and modern science agree that the body, mind, and emotions are one integrated system. When you change one aspect of the system, it affects the others.
Self-care
Self-care involves activities that promote wellness and help you feel better. These activities can include things like exercising, eating well, and meditating. They can also be social activities, such as hanging out with friends and family or volunteering. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and can commit to on a regular basis. These activities should also fit into the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s eight dimensions of wellness: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social.
Adding a few simple changes to your daily routine can make a big difference in your mental health and overall wellbeing. Try to notice if your self-care routine is working by paying attention to changes in your sleep patterns, mood, and energy levels. Self-care can help prevent burnout and improve your quality of life. It can even increase your productivity at work or school.
Self-reflection
Self-reflection is a practice that can help you better understand your own thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It can also lead to meaningful personal development and allow you to make conscious choices that align with your values and goals. In addition, it can help you identify and manage stressors and emotional challenges.
Reflection is a critical element in cultivating a sense of personal identity by identifying characteristics that are unique to the individual, whether physical or psychological. It also fosters productive self-awareness and decreases self-criticism.
There are several ways to engage in self-reflection, including journaling, meditating, or engaging in creative activities. Try to incorporate one of these practices into your daily routine and set aside dedicated time for reflection. Using a mental health journaling app like Quenza is a great way to keep track of your reflections over time. Also, consider talking to a therapist or mental health professional who can guide you through the process.
Self-love
Self-love is an important part of the healing process and can help reduce stress. It involves developing a compassionate and understanding relationship with yourself, similar to the way you might treat a friend facing difficulties. Practicing self-compassion can alleviate negative self-talk and reduce the impact of anxiety, allowing you to navigate challenging situations with confidence and ease.
Practicing self-love is about knowing what your values and interests are and making decisions based on them, says therapist Jalissa Shelby. For example, if you value compassion, you might volunteer with a local animal shelter. If travel inspires you, you might make a travel bucket list. Self-love also includes creating a safe space all your own. This might include a worry-free zone in your home, a calming playlist, or even a therapist. You may also choose to practice mindfulness or meditation, as they can help you relax and feel at peace. This will give you the strength to take on challenges and to recover from setbacks.
Self-acceptance
Self-acceptance is a key aspect of emotional healing and it can improve your internal relationships. It can help you get rid of negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs that lead to distorted perceptions of yourself and others. It can also help you feel more peaceful and connected to your values.
Practice self-compassion by talking to yourself in a kind, loving voice. If you’re not sure how to do this, think of what you would say to a friend who was struggling. Self-compassion can also help you to reduce your self-criticism and increase your ability to forgive yourself.
People who struggle with self-acceptance often have a fractured sense of identity. They may try to bolster their sense of self-worth by accomplishing great things, but this only helps them temporarily. Eventually, the positive and negative parts of their personality come into conflict with each other, leading to negative emotions and low self-esteem. The key to resolving this conflict is unconditional self-acceptance.
