HOLISTIC HEALTH – HEALING IS AN INSIDE JOB

I would love to share with you simple ways to implement healthy practices into your life, without “efforting”. Efforting is not a real word but one I use to help you understand “putting in the effort”. Maybe you get tired even to think of “having to do” something for yourself. This is not about effort. This is about joy.

Disclaimer: before getting into this deliciously organic matter, please note that natural healing methods, techniques or anything mentioned in this article is in no way implied to replace medical care, common sense or getting appropriate help where and when needed.

To heal holistically means to consider all aspects of being human. When you consider yourself, you find out, that the important stuff is really happening on the inside and is not necessarily what you are showing to the outside world! Inner awareness complements and supports all other healthcare practices.

As a Kinesiologist and Holistic Health Practitioner I can access what the client is experiencing on different levels of being. Together we look at how much stress is present, relative to how much they can tolerate without negative consequence.

We distinguish between the physical body, senses, emotions, mental and spiritual aspects of living and being.

We determine whether the client is in a state of deterioration, in survival mode or thriving and wanting to grow and advance in life.

Clients do not have to wait to get ill to improve their well-being. Taking pro-active care of one’s state of health leads to fulfillment and the most joyous experience of what life has to offer.

If we just let life take its course, without awareness or choosing to make the most of what we have, most people would just get old, tired, and ill. There are only a few who choose a positive outlook on life – to be happy, regardless of life’s sometimes harsh realities. These few focus on what keeps them vital and upright and reap the benefits now and later in life.

Here are some practices to focus on keeping joy and positivity flowing, to stay young (regardless of your age) and not get bogged down by life.

ENTICE YOUR INNER CHILD… be playful!

1. Sit still for a moment, take some deep breaths, and set an intention to be well, receive inspiration and experience joy.
2. Swivel your index finger above the list below, start anywhere and eenie-meenie-miney-mo land your finger/pen/pointer on one of the topics listed below.
3. Read the instructions on that one thing and take immediate action to implement it into your life, even in the smallest way. It is through intentional positive doing that we shift our experience of reality.

• Gratitude – Have a gratitude journal and everyday record three or more things you are grateful for.

• Forgiveness – Practice forgiveness daily. Ask yourself whom or what you can forgive today and do so.

• Journaling – Have a journal/notebook of colour, shape and texture you love, and every day record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

• Deep Breathing – Start a daily practice of taking deep, abdominal breaths. Just 1 minute daily of calming yourself with deep breathing can be life changing in the long run.

• Observe the Mind – Sit still for a moment, take some deep breaths, and close your eyes, noticing what thoughts are moving through your mind. You don’t have to do anything about the thoughts. You can simply observe them, without judgment.

• The Daily Discard – Declutter! Set a time daily to discard or remove from your space one, three or ten items that you no longer use or have memories or connotations attached to that you might not want to take with you into the future.

• Live Deliberately – Set an intention for the day, the week, the month, or the year. Pick a word, attitude, or topic to practice or explore.

• Express Appreciation – Say thank you or express appreciation to someone, verbally, for something they have done or for what they mean to you. Repeat regularly.

• Know your values – Know yourself well enough to understand what is important to you. Set healthy boundaries around your values and stay committed to aligning your behavior with these values.

• Self-Love – Ask yourself “what do I need here/now?” and give it to yourself. Do for yourself as you might have done for others.

• Walk it off! – Take a daily walk, even if it is 10mins, to move your body and clear your mind.

• Record of Compliments – Have a notebook in which you record every compliment you have received from anyone at any time in your life. Keep adding to it as it happens or as you remember. Have this record ready when you feel miserable about yourself, and you will quickly see the evidence of how amazing you actually are.

• Accomplishment Log – List and continue adding to it, everything you have done, accomplished, or overcome that you are proud of. Do not leave anything out, however small and insignificant it may seem. Refer to this list when facing challenges and see how much you have already overcome.

• Dream Journal – Have a notebook next to your bed and upon waking simply and quickly record any dreams you’ve had during the night, or any inspired thoughts you woke up with.

• Connect, Belong – Call, text, meet with someone you like and/or love and who likes and/or loves you. Schedule time for connecting for the sake of joy and love.

• Find the Humor – Life gets serious… too serious sometimes. Keep it light. Find the humor in challenging situations and you’ll find your ease in dealing with it.

Come back to this list and repeat the exercise however often you want, and you will reap positive healing benefits for as long as you continue to practice Living Life!