Self Healing Process

If you've begun to explore ways in which you can help yourself heal emotionally, physically or spiritually, congratulations---you've already taken the first step on a self-healing journey. Walking the path, however, can prove to be one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Establish good conditions for self-care, clearly identify your goals, and arm yourself with the best tools to help you stay on track as you pursue self-healing.

Foundations

Julia Cameron, filmmaker, playwright and creator of a popular series of self-help books and courses for artists, argues that the first step to healing is to investigate any blocks to achieving your goals. "Stop telling yourself, 'It's too late,'" she advises. Even if you're working on a spiritual or emotional problem, create optimal healing conditions by looking after your physical health. Healthy food, plenty of water, adequate rest and exercise will help you move in a positive direction. Above all, be gentle with yourself.

Changing Patterns

A plethora of tools and workbooks are available to help you heal identify and change patterns that prevent healing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one method that you can use to change the thoughts that create negative feelings, including anxiety, sadness and anger. Dr. David Burns, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine and pioneer in popularizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, notes in "The Feeling Good Handbook" that people who use cognitive-behavioral therapy have better success in recovering from depression than those treated with drugs alone.

Healing Trauma

If you're dealing with the consequences of a traumatic experience like an accident, loss or abuse, you might require a different approach to self-healing. The first priority after trauma is reconnecting with your body, according to Peter A. Levine, a psychologist specializing in stress and trauma and former consultant for NASA's space shuttle project. "Trauma robs us of our body sense," Levine notes in his book "Healing Trauma." He recommends using guided audio exercises to regain body awareness. Conscientious movement, practiced in exercise forms like yoga and tai chi, can also reopen the lines of communication with your body.

Essentials

Regardless of their methods, many self-healing teachers recommend keeping a journal or notebook as a basic self-healing tool. Make note of any feelings, setbacks, questions, symptoms or changes as you pursue self-healing, says Martin L. Rossman, in his book "Guided Imagery for Self-Healing." A physician and practitioner of holistic medicine in Mill Valley, California, since 1972, Rossman advises that once you've kept your journal for a while, reviewing it can help you understand your own process more clearly.

Considerations

Despite your best self-healing efforts, you may need outside help to complete the journey. Often when we try to self-heal, we end up stuck in patterns that are so natural to us we can't see them, says Beverly Engel, psychotherapist and workshop leader specializing in healing from abuse and healing relationships. In her book "Healing your Emotional Self," Engel notes that if you feel overwhelmed by what you see when you attempt to look within, a professional psychotherapist can help you overcome your fear. A holistic healer such as an acupuncturist, massage therapist or energy healer can also be a powerful ally as you pursue self-healing.