How to heal in 8 steps

In the pursuit of healing, we start a journey back to ourselves, that can turn confusing because it demands us to take decisions and to make changes that we haven't been able to implement so far. Here I explore the most beneficial 8 steps according to my experience.

Understanding humans as multifaceted beings can help us in the seeking of strategies to recover health with a holistic approach. Being healthy implies that all the natural processes within the body function optimally and aligned. Commonly there are 3 types of health: physical, mental and spiritual and we use to treat them separately, thinking there is not relation between them, however we started to understand the correlation.

A holistic healing process would avoid treating only the symptoms of the illness, focusing more on the root cause of the imbalance, even if it is not physical.

To heal more effectively, we need to consider our BEING as whole, so the changes can occur on many levels and improve the quality of life in long-term.

The future of Medicine will be more integrative, more preventive and we will be fully aware to take responsibility for our wellbeing seriously. Luckily we don't need to wait for that, if we feel ready now, because already exist plenty of tools and options to prevent sickness and to heal them integrally. The first step is wanting to take action, because all your commitment, would be required to make the necessary changes.

Sometimes our body get sick to make us aware of something we have ignored, and if we want to recover, we need to listen it and accept what it has to say.

After the diagnostic -of any kind of imbalance or illness- the first reaction is to feel vulnerable and confused about what option or treatment to take. The best thing to do is to search all the information available and ask for a few professional opinions, in order to take, a conscientious decision about a treatment and a physician that we can trust. This steps will be crucial during the process to come.

Once established the optimal medical treatment, we can seek for alternative healing methods to get into balance again. Personally I have tried hundreds of them and I would like to share what I believe are the most important and effective points to cover. And remember that simple does not always means easy.

Change eating habits

It is not easy to quit the tasty food we love, but if we are looking for a significant shift, it will be needed. The ideal is to quit highly processed food, sugar and alcohol -or other chemicals that sooner or later will affect your body- into more natural options. And is not about stop enjoying food, is about changing toxic habits into healthy ones. Nowadays are plenty of options for all tastes and budgets.

Currently there are blood test to know exactly what types of food or nourishment your organism needs. A visit to the Nutritionist and getting a water filter, are some of the best decisions we can make, specially when the imbalances are starting to be noticed.

Therapeutic accompaniment

Going through an illness is one of the loneliest moments one can experience. Talking to someone who can listen and understand without judging, during difficult times is priceless, because we can feel free to express, release or deepen on what issues to work, to get into balance and to discover the emotional root of the problem.

Emotions have an effect on the 3 aspects -body, mind and soul- so is very important to solve them and to release them, but sometimes these emotions are subconscious and is not easy to unveil them without a therapist.

Meditation and exercise

Meditation is the process of training your mind to focus and observe your thoughts, we can use it to be more aware of us and our environment, is also a way to reduce stress and develop concentration. Other benefits are positive mood, improve healthy sleep patters, increase pain tolerance, reduce stress and anxiety and decrease blood pressure.

Physical activity is other essential tool to improve physical and mental health. You don´t need to be an olympic champion, but you can walk, dance or exercise from home. For me Kundalini Yoga has bringing me calm and satisfaction, I am not an expert but I enjoy it very much. Other powerful discipline is Biodanza, that has an effect on impatience, ability to recover, feeling of activation, physiological sympathetic activity, feeling of well-being, immunological effectiveness and improves the connection with others and nature, recovering the joy of childhood and releasing trauma from the body, through music and movement.

Connect with nature

Spending more time in nature oxygenates, relax and recharge us at the same time.

Learning to be with yourself in the present time, is easier to reach, in a natural environment. Meditation and grounding practices bring us multiple benefits for long-term. Honoring nature is other way to heal, because it make us aware, that we are part of a WHOLE.

Mindful breathing

Humans beings tend to introduce, subconsciously, pauses in their breathing patterns.

If we get shocked or alarmed; we stop breathing or initiate an irregular breathing cycle, the same occurs when we are focused on the past or on the future. Every time that we are not focused here and now, our breathing is not connected consciously, that's why during meditation we are asked to focus in our breathing to bring us to the present moment.

The way we tend to breath it reflects the way we tend to live; connected and present or disconnected and absent. By following an appropriate breathing pattern, we increase oxygenation which brings many benefits at all levels. An adequate breathing technique reduces stress, pain, increases energy levels and the best of all is that is free.

Personally, the breathwork that I have done and I recommend is the Wim Hof technique, and is getting very popular lately, because is known for strengthen the immune system and many practitioners had recover from all kind of illness, from depression to several autoimmune diseases. Is very easy to find on internet and the technique has been translate to many languages.

Detach from toxic attachments

"You cannot heal in the same place you got sick", this phrase is very real, physical and metaphorical, because if you stay in the same state of mind, the results will be the same.

In order to heal and get into balance, changes will be needed and also detaching from everything that is not in your best interest. This could be places, people, habits, patters, beliefs, etc.

Reflect honestly on what part of your life is not longer needed, if contributes you or is blocking you somehow. And learn how to say NO unapologetically.

Quality time

Having the space needed for you to rest and to have a hobby is vital. Following a passion or something that make you happy -even for a few hours a day- can uplift you to another level and your health will be definitively benefit from that. Pamper yourself with moments when the ritual is just loving yourself is powerful, either drinking a delicious tea, watch your favorite movie, sing or any activity that you love, will make you see things differently.

Be patient with yourself

You has being through many changes, practically you has been reborn to a new life, but time to time you will see yourself falling into old habits, and is ok. Big shifts are not spontaneous, some will be easy to quit, others not, but that is the interesting part of the journey, it will give you character, layers and soon you will be thankful for taking the leap.

And remember; also practicing gratitude to each medicine, to each success and to each solution, will improve your mood and will give you a different perspective. There is always something to be thankful for.

To finish, I wish I could say that I know the magic formula to heal quickly, but the only thing that will really heal you, it will be your commitment for real change. In order to heal, we have to want to be healed.