7 Keys to Emotional Freedom

Taking care of our emotional health is as important as looking after our physical body

When we were children many of us lacked role models who could teach us how to effectively care for our emotional needs. As a result many of us walk through life either feeling constantly emotionally hijacked or completely numb. 

So when big life changes happen, traumas past and present show up, upsets, frustrations or losses occur, whether in our own experience or someone else’s, emotional responses big and small are triggered within us.

The degree to which we respond, or for most people, ‘cope’ with these life experiences depends upon many variables. These can include how stressed we are at the time, our current level of physical and mental health and our past life challenges.

The coping mechanisms we use may show up in a myriad of different forms and are most often variants of survival patterns that we have been using since childhood. 

These may include:

~ Emotional eating

~ Feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm

~ Avoidance of a person/people or place

~ Over working 

~ Extreme exercising/not exercising at all

~ Overusing stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, SM

~ Arguing with our spouse/children

~ Getting sick

Avoidance strategies have their place, but ultimately they are a false safety nets only serving to keep our feelings and emotions further suppressed

If we truly want to look after our emotional well-being we have to become consciously aware of our triggers and responses.

Once we are aware, we can take responsibility for our reactions and begin to gently and powerfully make change.

f you want to become more empowered with your emotional health, these 7 Simple Self-care strategies are an important first step:

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 

Drinking water is one of the most powerful (and undervalued) ways you can support the body to process and release the emotions and their chemical responses that are constantly circulating through your body. Up your water intake significantly for at least 48 to 72 hours after/during an emotionally triggering time.

2. Take epsom salt baths, warm showers, swim in the ocean or spend time by water

Our emotional body responds positively to the healing energy of water so be around it or in it as much as possible.

3. When experiencing a wave of emotion STOP and BREATHE 

Allow yourself to FEEL the emotions that are flowing through you. Feel the tightness in the chest, the lump in your throat or the energy in your arms and legs. Stay as present as you can for as long as you can with your breath and try not to get too caught up in the thought patterns that may be flooding your mind.

4. Reach out for support

Surround yourself with those you feel loved by and safe with. Take time to be by yourself when you need to but be careful not to shut yourself away from the world. Book in with trained therapists/practitioners who can support you on your emotional healing journey.

5. Rest

Sleeping allows your body to shut down and heal. Rest when you need to. Listen to your body and try not to get caught up in the powerful persuasions of the mind that claim you ‘should’ be doing when your body is crying out for rest.

6. Walk in Nature

Nature soothes the body, mind and soul. Get outside and reconnect to the earth and the sky every day. Gentle walking will help keep the emotions moving and processing.

8. Nourishing food

Your body is working hard digesting your emotions. Eating non-stimulating, nourishing foods will help optimally support the process. Avoid stimulants such as refined white sugar, caffeine and red meat. 

Implementing these strategies into your life on a daily basis are an important way to manage and release emotional responses from the body

With time, practice and awareness your responses to life will begin to change and you will become more literate with your own unique emotional language

Emotional Freedom is experienced when we feel safe to express all of our human emotions as they arise 

Without the desire to avoid, fix, change or judge our feelings, emotions are free to rise and fall as quickly as they arrived

When we are truly able to observe ourself as the experiencer of our emotions and not the emotion itself, we are FREE

LOVE 

Fiona x