The 5 things that helped me MEND
Abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and any other mind/body or energy altering substances (energy drinks, painkillers, sleeping tablets, etc) this was the first step in allowing me to function in normal life without the chemical imbalances that had been a permanent fixture since my early teens. It was the backbone of my anxiety and anger, and allowed me to keep my trauma buried, untouched, ignored, and unconsciously haunting me. It helped with my sleeping patterns and regulated my mood and improved overall motivation and energy levels.
Therapy - I worked with two different therapists over a year to work on the challenges that I had with things that had happened in my past and how I felt like they were still playing a major part on how I see the world and react to certain situations. Realising alcohol, drugs and any other coping mechanisms that alter your state of mind, and consciousness, only work to numb out the emotion, and therapy was a way to help process these emotions that were now sitting at surface level.
Meditation and Self Hypnosis - Two very separate things, but I use them both together in daily practice. First thing in the morning, I visualise the day ahead, set my intention for successful outcomes and practice gratitude for all that I hold close to my heart. I practice a body scan meditation of conscious healing and acknowledge that my body will do it’s job in repairing, healing and keeping me healthy. Self Hypnosis and Meditation have cured my insomnia, I have a nighttime routine, where I practice a visualisation self hypnosis that has me sleeping within minutes, by using a certain script that works for me, repetitively, I train my brain to look for prompt to send me off into a restorative, deep sleep.
Sound Healing - The experiences I have had with the power of sound have been wide ranging, some can only be likened to that of a drug induced state, without the physical act of taking drugs, taking consciousness and visualisation into unknown territory and others are deeply restful and relaxing, on a level I had never experienced before. It is so hard to explain, and that was the inspiration for learning and delivering this as a therapy. I knew I had to share this experience with other people. Learning about how this works in theory continued to keep me fascinated, and that’s a whole other blog, but used in the right way it can activate your bodies natural ability to heal and release trauma. I don’t know how it took me until 36 years of age before I finally discovered this, but it was a game changer!
Cold Water Therapy - they say that cold water therapy is the only thing that can rival the dopamine hit that the body gets from cocaine, but whilst the effect of cocaine peaks quickly and you are left chasing the buzz, the rise in dopamine from the effects of cold water therapy last for hours afterwards. You can’t help but be present when immersed in the ice bath, and the practice of regular immersion develops a mental strength by just overcoming that battle with yourself. It doesn’t matter how good you feel when you step out of the ice, there is always a build up and apprehension before you step in, so just getting it done and knowing its a wee mini achievement in the day is just another reminder that you can raise the bar and push your limits on a daily basis in the simplest of ways.
If you would like to discuss any of the above, please get in touch.
Much love,
Emma x
