When we become injured or ill, we often focus solely on alleviating physical symptoms while neglecting the intricate connection between our bodies, emotions, and minds.  However, ancient wisdom and emerging research highlight the undeniable interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and mental healing. 

Emotional Healing

Emotions serve as messengers that communicate valuable information about our experiences, needs, and desires.  Illness, physical pain (acute and chronic), and injury all have emotional components that need to be addressed to heal. Suppose you are injured in a car accident, such as fractured bones or other injuries. In that case, you might experience anger at the other driver, become fearful that another accident could happen at any time, or become anxious that your injury will not heal well.  Ignoring or suppressing your emotions can have detrimental effects on your physical healing.

Conversely, embracing and processing your feelings can lead to emotional healing, positively impacting your physical recovery and overall well-being.  I was working with a client that had recently completed chemo and radiation treatments.  On the day of one of our sessions, she was in a car accident that was not her fault.  She experienced pain in her shoulders and low back.  She shared that when she was a child, she felt helpless and trapped in the car with her Dad, who was a crazy driver. These feelings had been stuffed down but now came back to the surface, and she felt anxious and vulnerable in the world.  After 4 healing touch sessions plus her doing energy work and journaling at home, these emotions cleared, and the pain created by the car accident resolved.  In addition, the sensitivity she had experienced in her right arm and chest due to cancer treatments had also improved! 

Mental Healing

Research consistently demonstrates the powerful influence of positive thinking, optimism, and a resilient mindset on physical healing. Maintaining a positive mental outlook can enhance the body’s natural healing processes, improve immune function, and speed up recovery. On the other hand, persistent negative thoughts, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs can hinder the healing process, impede treatment outcomes, and even exacerbate physical symptoms.

I worked with a client that came to me for back pain that she felt had an emotional component.  She had experienced some physical and emotional abuse as a child. She had worked with a therapist and experienced other modalities in the past.  Over time we discovered a pattern regarding physical symptoms and her emotional and mental states. The pattern we discovered was that she experienced physical pain in her left hip, back and sometimes neck when new or old emotional issues bubbled up regarding her immediate family or boyfriend.  When stressed at work or school, she experiences bloating and digestive problems.  She learned how to process her feelings by using essential oils, healing touch, acupuncture, and other therapies as needed.  She developed a self-care program and modified it as necessary to improve her physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. 

How to Promote Holistic Healing

To truly promote healing and wellness, it is vital to adopt a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of our being.  Taking time for self-care on all 3 levels is one way of achieving that.  Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep are lovely for the physical body.   Mindfulness, yoga, walking or seated meditation, and gardening can help quiet the mind.  Socializing with friends, doing HT on yourself, doing something creative (playing music, sculpting, writing, dancing), and using essential oils are just a few ways to help balance your emotional state.

I strongly suggest you do something for yourself daily to help calm your body, mind, and spirit.  You will feel a difference in your being.

By nurturing and supporting all aspects of your being, you pave the way for true healing, growth, and a more vibrant and fulfilling life. Remember, you are an interconnected being, and the path to holistic wellness lies in embracing and nurturing every facet of your being.