Emotional Healing – Balance and Resilience
Out of lockdown. It’s an exciting time for many of us to get out and about, catch up with loved ones and look forward to “some kind of normality” in our lives. Katrina Thorpe says it’s also time to keep check on your mental, physical and particularly, emotional state.
During stressful times we tend to cope with situations but we need to be aware that the after-affects can hit deeper than we realise.
Post-traumatic stress syndrome is all too familiar for those who have served in the forces, frontline workers, and many others. At present, we recognise it’s a very fragile time emotionally. Feeling angry, frustrated, overwhelmed or sad are just some of the emotions we may experience while navigating the next chapter of our lives in present times.
Consult with medical practitioners or therapists if you need help with any mental health issues, only you can make the decision to seek what is right for you.
Our physical body, thinking mind and emotional core, work together to create how we feel and function but at times one of the three can override the other two areas to upset our balance.
At present we are hearing and seeing more emotional overloads than ever before and there is a desperate need for calming and balancing heightened emotions.
Researchers in the wellness sector recognise the effects are to come as we enter the next stage of re-opening our world and are investigating what help may be needed post-pandemic as we move forward to the next phase.
We have already seen a dramatic surge in seekers of wellness therapies along with gyms, yoga and other active club memberships as a way of maintaining and improving our health but it’s also associated with our cravings for a community and the company of others.
Sound healing, meditation, breathe and mindfulness classes; even city wellness pods for mental health restoration are just some of the new concepts gaining large attendance.
What can you do to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to stay balanced?
Firstly, be aware and recognise your feelings, be kind to yourself and others by accepting that it’s ok to have different emotions and opinions.
I’m currently finding that people are openly expressing how they feel and while this is encouraged to help with healing, some people are unfortunately lapsing into displaying emotional aggression towards others which doesn’t help anyone – but kindness does.
Here are some tips we find helpful for healing, balancing and building emotional resilience may also help you:
1. Mind your thoughts:
For every negative thought, think of at least two positive thoughts. It may just be how grateful you are for finding a great coffee place or car park! Show your gratitude as often as you can as your mind hears what your emotions express.
Find things to look forward to, set some goals but accept change and setbacks as part of life and an opportunity to challenge your thoughts rather than letting them get you down. Treat it as a challenge, a game, an incentive to gradually change your thought process.
2. Find your tribe and get to know others:
Be selective with your inner circle of friends, business associates and like-minded people. Keep those you trust close and others you find stressful or demanding, in your outer circle. Remove yourself from other people’s drama as much as you can. Networking in like-minded associations, volunteering or joining community-based groups in your area can help with emotional support and comfort. Developing a sense of belonging and empathy towards others is emotionally healing and rewarding.
3. Your Selfcare is not Selfish:
Embrace wellness of your mind and body to help emotions. Eat well, stay active, get quality sleep and substitute unhealthy coping mechanisms with healthy options. Choose activities that nurture your soul. We recommend slow, soothing, and nurturing wellness treatments with aromatherapy for helping with emotional restoration.
Try new experiences and time in nature.
4. Mindfulness:
Anywhere, anytime, be conscious of what you are doing and where you are in that moment by immersing yourself in the simplest things with meaning and gratitude.
Try to engage all your senses with touching, smelling, hearing, tasting and seeing wherever possible.
Smile at yourself in the mirror (it’s harder than you think), smile as often as you can – your mind knows what your body does and it hears what you think.
One small change can make a difference to your emotional healing and in turn, helps with building resilience to create more balance.
