Top Healing Practices That Transformed My Health and Wellness Journey
If you read my best-selling memoir, Trust the Flames, you might recall for much of my life, I struggled with chronic health issues, just like so many other people. My twenties were particularly challenging, with a host of symptoms that deeply affected my quality of life: chronic stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, gut issues (like IBS, acid reflux, and constant bloating), skin issues, hormone imbalances, dysfunctional relationships, weight fluctuations, and more. It was a rollercoaster.
I spent years searching for RELIEF from these symptoms, hoping for something to ease the discomfort. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was managing symptoms instead of addressing the ROOT causes of my issues. Relief is like a band-aid and conventional medicine often offers quick fixes, like pills but to truly heal, we must be willing to do the deeper work.
The issues are in the tissues.
What do I mean by that? Our bodies are mirrors of our minds, meaning that genuine healing can only happen when we address the underlying reasons our bodies are manifesting certain symptoms. Without tackling and transforming these root causes, we cannot fully recover.
Here are the practices that made the most significant impact on my healing journey:
Somatic Practices (Meditation, Mindfulness and Yoga): Somatic practices enhance self-awarness, neuroplasticity, (the brain’s ability to rewire itself) and interoception (the brain’s perception of physical sensations). Through mindful movement and meditation, I was able to rewire the neural pathways and sensations associated with stress and trauma. They helped me regain control over my life, lower stress hormones and increased my resilience.
Learning to Breath Properly: We take more than 20,000 breaths each day, and the way we breathe can either push us into a state of stress or bring us into rest and repair. For years, I didn’t realize how much stress my improper breathing patterns were causing. Learning how to breathe properly was a game-changer, allowing my body to finally enter a state of true rest and healing.
Rewiring the Subconscious Mind: The subconscious mind controls 90% of our thoughts and behaviors. If we want to experience deeper healing and empowerment, we must work on rewiring this part of our mind. For me, understanding that the way I was thinking, acting and feeling was a reflection of my subconscious beliefs was revolutionary. This realization allowed me to make profound changes.
Processing Emotions through Self-Compassion: Repressed emotions (like anger, resentment and fear) are a major contributor to illness because they continually trigger the nervous system, making healing nearly impossible. Instaed of pushing down or numbing my emotions causing more dysregulation, I learned how to process them through a self-compassionate lens. This unlocked a level of healing I hadn’t experienced before. I could finally let go of shame and experience true forgiveness.
Healing from Past Trauma: Unresolved trauma keeps the nervous system stuck in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze or shutdown which prevents the body from repairing itself. This dysreulatd state accelerates breakdown and hinders healing. Addressing my trauma was crucial in helping my body return to a state of balance and health.
Establishing Boundaries: Boundaries are internal and external limits that keep us feeling safe. They protect our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Boundaries prioritize our needs, maintain healthy relationships, and reduce stress by ensuring that we are not overextending ourselves or compromising our values.
The demands of everyday life can leave you feeling drained, disconnected, and unsure of where to turn. You deserve to live a life where you’re in control of your time, at peace within yourself, and connected deeply with those you love.
If you’ve been searching for a way to break free from the stress and reclaim your sense of calm, I’m here to help. Through my personalized coaching, I can guide you in learning how to regulate your nervous system, establish healthy boundaries, practice self-compassion, and integrate mindfulness into your daily life. Together, we’ll work on creating lasting change that not only improves your well-being but also strengthens your relationships and gives you the time and energy to truly thrive.
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Let’s work together to transform your life, starting from within. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to me today, and let’s begin your journey toward a calmer, more connected, and fulfilling life.