For many people, when they are sick, their first thought is to head to the drug store or get a prescription from their doctor (or do what I do and head STRAIGHT to Dr Google). Going to the physician for treatment is a wise choice, but it should not be your first or only option: what many don’t know is the body has the innate ability to heal itself.
Self-Healing Defined
Self-healing is defined as the process of recovering from trauma, illness or psychological disturbances by instinct, motivated and directed solely by the patient. It is believed by many that the body can heal itself naturally, provided it works within the laws of nature.
These laws of nature have been used for centuries. Over 2000 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates said “the natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
The Self-Healing Process
The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself. Bones, organs, and skin can all repair itself in time. In many instances, this self-healing starts at the cellular level: The human body is constantly replacing old cells with new ones, with millions of cells being replaced in the body every single second.
The below chart shows the average life of various cells in the human body:
|
Human Cells |
Average Lifespan |
|
Liver cells |
Replaced every 300-500 days |
|
Red blood cells |
Replaced every 120 days |
|
Fat storage cells |
Replaced every 10 years |
|
Skin cells |
Replaced every 39 days |
|
Intestinal epithelial cells |
Replaced every 5 days |
|
Hippocampal neurons |
Replaced every 20-30 years |
|
Skelton |
Replaced every 10 years |
|
Internal intestinal cells |
Replaced every 16 years |
These newer, younger cells are designed to be stronger and healthier than the older cells they are replacing.
Unfortunately, the new cells are often damaged or diseased in some instances, which can make a person sick. An example of this is cancer, which occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, eventually forming tumors. The key is to keep the body healthy, allowing it to replace old cells with healthy cells.
Self-Healing Tips
Here are a few of the most popular and effective self-healing tips:
Diet
The foods we eat play a vital role in the formation of new cells and our overall health. We are what we eat. In other words, if we eat primarily junk foods or choose healthier meals, our bodies will be a direct reflection of those dietary choices. For optimum results, avoid processed foods, sugars, fried foods, sodas, and foods high in sodium. Instead, get the bulk of your calories from nutrient-dense foods such as an assortment of organic fruits, veggies, water, fish, nuts and lean meats.
Ayurveda
Another form of self-healing is Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a type of alternative medicine that has been practiced for over 5000 years. The goal of Ayurveda is to focus on achieving balance in the body physically, mentally and spiritually. This is accomplished by incorporating a healthy diet, herbal remedies and exercises like yoga into their lifestyle. Instead of focusing on disease, the goal is to promote a good health lifestyle, which helps to protect the body from various ailments that can affect the body mentally, physically and spiritually.
Some herbal remedies such as Ashwagandha have been known to have significant effects on stress reduction and general well-being such as the pure patented Vivir Labs formula.
Positive Thinking
A powerful form of self-healing is positive thing. A study on positive thinking found that 77% of respondents believe that a positive mental attitude can prevent illness, and 94% believe it can aid in recovery from illness. A John Hopkins study also found that people with a family history of heart disease who had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within 5-25 years, when compared to individuals with negative thoughts.
Here are 5 ways to develop a positive attitude:
Let go of the past. Accept what has (or hasn’t) happened and move on.
This isn’t going to be easy, it is a journey but one worth taking. If you find it hard to let go of the past, there are many methods available to help you do so. You can reach out to me if you think you need additional help.
Turn off the news. Too much negativity from news stories can be emotionally draining.
I personally stopped watching, reading or listening to the news. I found that I wasn’t learning anything that I really needed to know, and for the most part it was just shock tactics. This greatly helped my sense of peace, and sure, every now and then I might not have been the first to know about some piece of news, but it was never anything significant nor anything that was life changing not to know.
Surround yourself with positive people. Associate with people who will uplift you, not bring you down.
We all have a few friends who we, I hate to sat it, put up with. They aren’t quite right for you, but you maybe feel indebted to them in some way, or maybe have the right intentions but the wrong outcomes.
These are often the most toxic people in your life. The ones that go under the radar.
Do a friend audit – write a list of your top 3, next 10 and next 25 friends – rate them from 1-5 of how much you enjoy spending time with them. Anyone who sits at a 3 or below, think about why you invest your time in them, and maybe, it’s time to re-evaluate what is important in your friendship circle.
Love yourself. Being comfortable in your own skin and loving yourself can increase self-confidence and self-worth.
Wear that bikini even if you put on 4 kilos of Christmas pudding. Don’t wear make up for a week, get rid of your heels and just get comfy in flats. All these awful perceptions we put onto ourselves are not reality.
Exactly how you look and feel right now is right and perfect and OK. YES, it is OK to want to change and improve, but not if the quest for improvement comes at the sacrifice of today. Live now, love yourself today, and let the rest fall into place.
Repeat positive affirmations daily:
- “I choose peace.”
- “I am courageous.”
- “I can do anything I set my mind to.”
- “I will have a great day today.”
- “I won’t let anyone or anything steal my joy.”
Deep Breathing
Breathing is essential to life. Without oxygen we cease to exist. Deep breathing is important because oxygen is allowed to travel throughout the body on each inhale, while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide on each exhale. Benefits of deep breathing include the following:
- Relieves pain
- Improves digestion
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases energy
- Detoxifies the body
- Decreases stress levels/calming effect
On the other hand, shallow breathing has been linked to anxiety, stress, panic attacks, and decreased levels of white blood cells in the body.
To deep breathe, relax and inhale fully through your nose, letting your belly fill with air. Exhale fully and repeat. Do this every time you think about breathing. In time, deep breathing will become natural.
I find that 10 mins each morning and evening and can really just give you the few moments you need to focus on you.
Putting It All Together
Self-healing is the first line of defense against sickness and disease. It encompasses all aspects of health and well-being, which includes mental, physical and spiritual wellness.
An important aspect of self-healing is to be proactive. Don’t wait until you’re sick to start taking better care of yourself. By eating healthy foods, practicing Ayurveda and keeping a positive attitude, the body is better equipped to self-heal. Incorporate self-healing into your life today. Your body will thank you.
