Surviving a Major Ailment

Whether it be from an illness, ailment, or something life-threatening, the most important healing aspect is you. We are very powerful Beings and it is our thoughts that can heal us or destroy us. Working through something serious can be used as an opportunity to heal yourself not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The first step is getting in touch with your body, your thoughts, your emotions, and your soul.

Let’s break this down and look at each objectively. Let’s start off with the physical because physically you are going through something painful. The first step physically is to take in the ultimate food and supplements. Give your body the super fuel that it needs, avoiding sugar, salt, and fatty foods. As always, do this under the supervision of a professional. Research whole foods and the proper diet for what ails you. This can be found online if you cannot afford a dietitian.

I was having problems with the build-up of phlegm and found great food that took care of that in days!

There is something interesting that takes place when you are eating foods that cure, it gives you a sense of relief. Plus, it demonstrates to yourself that you really care about your body.

Remaining on the physical level, get your body moving. If you stay in bed, your Lymphatic system will remain stagnant. Move around so it can eliminate the junk from your system. At least a half-hour of walking can do the trick daily. Drink lots of water to assist this process. My doctor recommends drinking half your body weight in ounces of water.

Relaxation is so important. Put on relaxing music, turn off the electronics, and simply be. Welcome yourself back into you. This may be a new experience. With no distractions, all there is is you with you. Breathe. Breathe in relaxation and exhale tension. Safety is found in your breath. Now the deeper work can begin.

Psychology is the fine art of relationships. The relationship at hand is your relationship with you. Allow yourself to let go, be relaxed, and heal – all the while returning to your breath, which is the essence of you.

Who are you? What are your fears? What are your joys? Allow these thoughts to come to the surface, observe them, and let them go. If they remain, then this is what you need to work on during the remainder of the day. We say Earth is a school, and the surfacing issues are your curriculum or the subjects you need to work on. When your relaxation is over, jot down what was on your mind and come up with an action plan to address these issues.

In our society we treat the symptoms, numb them out, and avoid looking at the deeper meanings of them. These fears of yours will always be inside of you if you don’t work on them. They truly are something that needs to be grappled with. Do you want your fears to run you? If not, then you’ve got to go into them. The curious thing is when you really look at your fear and talk with it, they tend to fade. Having a working relationship with the parts of you, you would rather avoid can spell instant relief. Unfortunately, this isn’t supported in our society and as a result, mental illness rates are high, so is substance use, domestic violence, and suicide. Facing your fears helps you take charge of them, learn, grow, and ultimately heal from them. Disease means Dis-Ease, or not being at ease. Feel your fear, your pain, relax through it and listen. Then take the proper action steps.

Emotionally – love applied to hurt heals. This is the motto of Spiritual Psychology. This is the opposite of fear. Candice Pert got a Nobel Prize for proving when we have positive and loving emotions the brain secrets Neuropeptides that enhance the immune system. I heard of one person that upon hearing he had cancer, watched a lot of comedy movies and the cancer remitted. Food and laughter are amazing medicine. However, when it is difficult to find happiness, then step-by-step action is needed.

Setting intentions is the key. Do you truly want to heal? Many don’t fathom this because they are so conditioned to be sick or depressed. It is their normal. To get out of this mode, give yourself permission to heal, imagine you are healthy in your mind (visualization), and walk around in this fantasy. What you see is what you’ll be. What will you be doing when you are healthy? This is what Dr. Bernie Segal, the famous cancer surgeon asked his clients. Many of which spontaneously healed because of this mindset. They had a new purpose in life. See yourself doing what you want. Repeat this phrase – “My intention is to heal.” Or My intention is to treat myself with dignity”. In setting intentions, you are not allowing your old thoughts and fears to run the show. Again, your relationship with yourself is the key. Learn how to work with yourself to thrive.

There is one inevitable. Death. Nobody escapes this. It is the consequence of being alive. Eventually, this body dies. Nobody lives forever and this can be the biggest issue yet.

Death is quite a subject, but do we talk about this as a society? What happens when we die? There are many faiths, many religious beliefs, many non-beliefs as well. Is there a soul that moves on or nothingness? Instead of pushing this subject away, embrace it. Read books on the subject, a litany of them have been written, and see which philosophy rings true for you. In the study of Spiritual Psychology, the belief is that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. Each time we work through a problem we grow at the level of the soul. If we avoid facing a problem, God will return it back to us until we face it properly. How many repeating problems have you had in your life? In numbing out problems through substances and distractions, we avoid growth. Face your problems, come up with an action plan to solve them, and begin taking the action steps. In doing so you are helping your soul grow.

These are just a few basic steps, to begin with, obviously, a book can be written about this topic from a spiritual psychology point of view. This is not to say this belief system is what you have to follow. You are in the driver’s seat right now and you have an opportunity to learn and grow from what has been bothering you.

When I go through a health issue here are my steps:

1. Stop what I am doing and take time for myself
2. Set intentions to heal – this entails giving myself permission to heal.
3. Eat basic foods that are organic and lively. I research the best food for what I am going through.
4. Take supplements.
5. Acupuncture
6. Light exercise and slowly step it up.
7. Increase water to flush the system.
8. Relaxation where I visual doing something I love.
9. Talk with my fear, walk with it, and listen to it. Then follow through on its requests.
10. Use my affirmation: “I am a young, healthy, and happy man.” And repeat 100 times a day.
11. Mindfulness walk, where I lovingly connect to nature and myself.
12. Meditation
13. Free form writing where I jot out what is on my mind and then I rip it up.
14. Talk to friends. Social support can be a key. You don’t have to go through this alone.
15. If things don’t improve I consult my doctor

Recently, I needed to back off from my supplements because I had so much energy I couldn’t slow down. Stay in tune with yourself and know what works for you and what doesn’t.

Write some comments about the article if you are so moved to do so. We are in this game of life together.

Compassionate Care is Always Available

There are many more tools and strategies you can use in your pursuit of happiness. Here is where we come in. Contact us at Basic Steps Mental Health and let us support and educate you on this journey back to your loving heart center. Imagine living a heart-centered life, regardless of what is happening externally. We’d love to be of help.

For 25 years, Dr. Scott Alpert, the clinical director of Basic Steps Mental Health, has treated over 7,000 people with mental health and addiction problems, using a Psychological approach that mixes and matches ten of the top approaches used in the industry.  We are here virtually and in person to help you get through this COVID-19 pandemic and many other difficulties you may be experiencing.

May you have good mental health.