The ups and downs of life form part of the experiences that influence, shape and guide us. Challenges and disappointments — even the ones that set us adrift or scrambling for stable ground — can gift us the ability to learn and grow. What tests us the most often develops resiliency, strength and problem-solving skills that help us navigate our future.
Over time there's been an increase in awareness and acceptance of how health and wellness practices are an integral part of our mental, emotional and physical well-being. Advocating for taking charge of our needs has gradually become a welcomed (even celebrated) social norm; with discussions and actions around health being more openly explored than ever before.
When we experience anxiety, stress, depression or grief; we can often feel weighed down by what we're struggling to work through; it can seem like we will break if we dare to release what sits so heavy on our soul.
Emotional healing doesn't merely involve rest and/or thoughtful reflection. While it can sometimes look like self-care and self-love (or other nurturing activities); how we piece ourselves back together may equally involve things like confrontation, anger or silence before we can find a way forward.
Having occasional negative thoughts about ourselves is completely normal; being stressed, tired, frustrated or experiencing challenges and changes, etc. can contribute to developing a nitpicking and overly critical inner voice. Often a collective reflection of our feelings, negative thinking can reveal what aspects of emotional self-care we need to work on.
Let’s face it, saying that life has its ups and downs is expressing it mildly. A more accurate descriptor would be there are cycles of advancement and regression, reworking and awakening, unpleasantness and pleasure, even chaos and calm; with many other experiences in-between that may make it difficult, at times, to show ourselves some kindness and understanding.
The seasons and cycles of nature serve as a reminder that growth, rejuvenation and new beginnings will continue to arrive, blossom and bloom. It reveals to us that despite challenges and hardships, we can use the change we experience to emerge renewed; sometimes in ways we may not anticipate.
An appropriate amount of quality sleep is fundamental in helping us maintain our mental, emotional and physical health; we're often advised to get enough rest when trying to manage stress, anxiety and depression. The problem with this recommendation is that all of these mental health challenges regularly interfere with our ability to sleep.
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