Anxiety, at its core, is being stuck in a state of alarm due to always being worried about the past or overly preoccupied with the future. This constant inability to JUST BE in the present moment causes so much stress and suffering. Learning how to be in the present moment is how we overcome anxiety.
One of our body’s greatest coping mechanisms is distraction. The body uses chronic pain and chronic symptoms/illness to distract us from our painful emotions (fear, anger, shame, etc.). It is actually easier to feel physical pain and discomfort than emotional pain.
It’s pretty simple: you either make time for health and wellness or you end up having to make time for poor health and sickness.
To really understand what wellness is, we have to recognize that true wellness is multifaceted. It is composed of mind, body, and spirit. AND, in order to achieve optimal health, all of the above must be addressed.
How do you feel about your body? Do you ever try to hide it? Have you ever wanted to stay home from a social event because of how you looked? Have you ever had difficulty concentrating on a task because you were so self-conscious about your appearance? Have you ever felt embarrassed to be you?
The holiday season is in full force, and for many, this can lead to feelings of exhaustion, burnout, and being rundown. Here’s how to avoid letting this happen. It’s so easy to slip into depleting habits like overextending ourselves, neglecting our need to hydrate and nourish, consuming too much sugar and alcohol, and not taking the time to slow down and process our emotions.
The inseparable connection between the mind and the body is a fundamental truth! Every thought we have exerts a tangible influence on our physical well-being. Our thoughts possess the dual power to either induce illness or contribute to our overall wellness.
Leading mind-body expert @gabormatemd says,
“When you shut down emotion, you’re also affecting your immune system, your nervous system. So the repression of emotions, which is a survival strategy, then becomes a source of physiological illness later on.”
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”
-Yehuda Berg
When you begin to take better care of yourself, it is completely normal to want your family and loved ones to be on board.
Honestly though, who doesn’t want the best for their loved ones?! It can be very difficult to watch loved ones walk a path different than our own, one that we know can lead to health issues down the road.
The majority of people living on this planet are currently feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and to remedy these feelings, most are seeking the latest stress reducing practices/protocols.
