How to Do Self-Healing

Self-healing is what your body was intended to do -- to heal itself. Nature provided systems within the human body to repair and replenish that which is damaged, if nothing interferes with the process. Surgery and medications are sometimes needed to aid the body in the healing process, but surgery, medicine, and other procedures are simply treatments, not cures.

Self-healing does not negate the importance of traditional health care for most people; it is something used in addition to proper medical treatment to enable the body to heal.

Sometimes a person might try self-healing for issues such as headaches, depression or anxiety. Self-healing techniques alone may or may not relieve the issue. When self-healing is inadequate to abate the symptoms, you should consult with your health care provider.

Self-healing is about your state-of-mind, your willingness to understand and believe the power that exists in your mind and body that is for your greatest good. The various techniques and disciplines that lend themselves to self-healing are only as good as the conscious energy you promote within yourself.

Just as reactions to everyday events can result in stress reactions in your body such as high blood pressure, heart problems, anxiety and depression, positive thinking can be just as powerful in bringing about relaxation, contentment, relief of fear and anger -- and actual healing processes within your own body.

There are many techniques and disciplines you can practice that will promote the best health of your mind and body. No single "how to" will lead you to the one right way for you. There are some general considerations to keep in mind when learning about and choosing which method or methods are for you:

* Keep an open mind: Try to rid yourself of any preconceived ideas or impressions of the various self-healing methods. Keep in mind that what might have worked well for someone you know may or may not work for you.

* There are no right or wrong choices: There are choices that will work for you and that's all that matters. Maybe you'll choose a method and find along the way that you aren't reaping the benefits as you'd imagined you would be. That's okay. You might add an additional method or two and continue with your original choice, or you might begin all over. Keep thinking positively and don't become bogged down in discouragement.

* Think positive: The power of positive thinking should not be underestimate -- not in self-healing or in any other part of your life. Positive thinking brings about positive results in all avenues of life. Without positive thinking in self-healing, you're just going through the motions.

* Gather information: Use all the tools at your disposal to learn about the various self-healing methods; the internet, your health care providers, books, dvds, classes offered, group gatherings and more. Talk to other health professional such as dieticians, massage therapists, spiritual advisers or counselors to help you in your quest.

* Be patient with yourself: Learning to change your conscious thought patterns or undertaking a new discipline takes effort and time. Develop realistic expectations. The health problem you are working to heal didn't develop suddenly; don't expect the healing to happen quickly.

The self-healing methods and disciplines described here only begin to scratch the surface of all available self-healing techniques. These are intended to provide a basic view into some of the most often used techniques by others and provide a foundation for your process of gathering information:

* Meditation/Guided Imagery/Guided Meditation: These three techniques are similar in that they tap into your mind-body connection. Meditation is about freeing your mind by centering your thoughts. Guided imagery and guided meditation are practiced in the same way and are really two different terms for the same practice. In guided imagery, you also center your thoughts but direct them toward the healing you wish to attain.

* Good Nutrition: Nutrition is often overlooked not just in self-healing but in everyday life in its importance to the health of the whole person. A balanced diet packed with nutrients and providing adequate calories gives your cells the fuel they need to work most efficiently. Self-healing depends on all the body's systems working as well as possible.

* Exercise/Physical Activity: Medical science tells us that at least 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity most days of the week promotes optimal health. With that being true, it stands to reason that exercise and physical activity will also promote self-healing. You don't have to do all thirty minutes at once to enjoy the rewards of exercise -- you can break it into increment of 10 to 15 minutes multiples times daily. Weight-bearing exercises are known to strengthen bones; aerobic exercise is good for your heart and lungs. Just about any physical activity you can think of and enjoy will provide benefits to your health.

* Reiki: Reiki is of Japanese origin. Translated literally, the two words "rei" and "ki" mean "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and "life force energy," in other words, spiritually-guided life force energy. The techniques of reiki are intended to reduce stress and relaxation that promote self-healing based on the idea that life force energy flows through you and is vital to your being. There is a "laying on of hands" to direct the life force energy to promote healing.

* Reflexology: Reflexology involves the application of pressure to areas of the ears, hands or feet based on the belief that each portion of the body is represented in those three areas. You can perform the massage yourself, or seek a reflexologist to perform the massage. Health professionals such as massage therapists, physical therapists and chiropractors are versed in reflexology.

This hub is informational in nature and not intended to be a substitute or replacement of medical advice. Consult your health care provider before beginning any new technique or program.