Recovering from illness or injury can feel like walking a tightrope—balancing the demands of life with the deep, personal need for rest and healing. But there’s hope. Healing isn’t about rushing or perfection; it’s about embracing your needs, one moment at a time.
Let’s explore how you can nurture your body and mind, rebuild your energy, and find peace in your healing process. Julie Silver, MD, author of the book “You Can Heal Yourself” has some suggestions and insights.
Start with Reflection
Take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask these three sets of questions:
- What are three ways you wish your body would function better?
- What are three ways you wish your mind would function better?
- What are three things you like about your body and trust it to do well?
- What are three things you like about your mind and trust it to do well?
Your answers to these questions can help you understand where you need support and where your strengths already lie.
Make Time for Healing
Healing isn’t something you can squeeze into a busy day. It requires intention, patience, and time. This means simplifying your life and letting go of things that drain your energy. Could you grocery shop just once a week? Can you ask someone for help with chores? Streamlining your daily tasks creates space for what matters most: rest, relaxation, and self-care.
Slow down. Notice how your body feels. If you sense fatigue, strain, or discomfort, listen to it. Your body is always speaking to you—it’s your job to tune in.
Harness the Power of Your Mind
Your mind is one of the most powerful tools in your recovery. Thoughts influence your body’s physical state. Worry, grief, and stress release chemicals that can delay healing, while hope, optimism, and gratitude can uplift your body’s ability to recover.
Here’s how you can use your mind to support healing:
- Focus on the positive: At any moment, there’s more going right in your body than going wrong. Celebrate what’s working.
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. Remind yourself, “I am resilient,” “I treat myself with loving kindness,” and “I am my own best friend.”
- Ground your thoughts: Thoughts are just passing events. When you notice worries or fears about symptoms, try to let them float by without attaching to them. Remember, serious illness will make itself known—most sensations are simply part of healing.
Balance Your Life and Recovery
One of the biggest challenges in healing is balancing your needs with the demands of real life. You may feel pulled between taking care of others and taking care of yourself. But your health must come first. Healthy self-esteem means valuing your well-being enough to prioritize it.
Find time for daily healing practices, such as:
- Deep breathing, with longer exhales than inhales.
- Guided meditations or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Journaling to express your emotions.
- Gentle exercise to improve circulation and reduce stress.
As you balance these two “time zones”—your needs and others’ expectations—remember that healing isn’t linear. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay.
Embrace Resilience
Resilience is about accepting the moment as it is. It’s about being open, compassionate, and patient with yourself, knowing that suffering will pass. When you let go of trying to control everything and surrender to the unknown, you allow healing to happen more naturally.
Imagine breathing into the parts of your body that hurt or feel stuck. Picture them surrounded by white healing light. Relax inside and trust the wisdom of your body—it knows how to heal, even if the process feels slow.
Healing Takes Time
You might feel pressure from others to “get better” quickly, or frustration when your progress isn’t as fast as you’d like. Remember, healing isn’t a race. Your body is doing its best, and every small step adds up over time.
By nurturing yourself with rest, positive thoughts, and compassion, you’re giving your body and mind the tools they need to recover. Healing may come with compromises—you might not feel exactly as you did before—but recovery is possible. Talking with a trained therapist can help you to build these self-nurturing skills and cope with the changes that illness may bring to your life. Book a free 15-minute consultation today.
