“Be who you are and say what you feel” is sage advice from one of our favorite doctors (Dr. Seuss). Letting our feelings live out in the open is the pathway to healthy living and a positive self image, but too many of us don’t even allow ourselves to acknowledge those feelings in the first place. Holistic pro Elissa Goodman (whose popular series on TCM has taught us how to remove toxic buildup, what we can do to change our S.A.D. ways, and why oil pulling is more important than you think) is back with us, talking about why overcoming “toxic emotions” matters. Tackle the sneakiest health hazard you didn’t even know was dangerous: the way you handle your emotions.
Not feeling our feelings has become an epidemic preyed upon by pharmaceutical companies. I believe that psychotherapeutic drugs are needed in certain cases, but antidepressants are the most consumed class of medication in the U.S. These over-prescribed drugs are a clear sign that we’ve got feelings we’re not processing. When we suppress our feelings, they metastasize in our body, leading to cancer. It is very common for those with cancer to have a long-standing tendency to hold on to “toxic emotions” such as resentment and anger. When we are under emotional stress, our organs and our immune function get stressed too, decreasing our bodies’ ability to fight cancer.
“Health is a state of complete harmony free of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and distractions, the gates of the soul open.” – B.K.S. Iyengar, founder of Iyengar Yoga
6 Healing Solutions for Overcoming Depression
Feel Your Feelings...
…and find a way to express them! Welcome the painful feelings when they arise. Don’t resist them. It’s vital to have the courage to feel sad when you are sad. Let yourself move through the emotions – they want to come up so they can come out. A great mantra that lets me dig into the darker feelings is “this too shall pass.”
Work With A Therapist Or Coach...
…to support you in your process. They are here to give us the clarity and courage it takes to move through our darkness.
Before Turning To Antidepressants...
…turn to hormone-balancing, serotonin-producing foods like mushrooms, watercress, dark leafy greens, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, cashews, turkey, beans, and legumes.
Take a Yoga Class...
…to clear your mind, or go for a run to boost happiness-inducing chemicals in your brain.
Remove Anti-Inflammatory Foods...
…from your diet like sugar, dairy, gluten and anything processed. Your gut produces 95% of your serotonin, and it needs support to properly release your “feel good” hormones. If your nutrition is poor, it’s very easy for a neurotransmitter imbalance to form.
If You Need Self-Guided Learning...
…on how to better understand your feelings and the emotional impact of your happiness on your health, the book You Can Heal Your Life
by Louise Hay is a great starting point.
