I talk a lot about decluttering (I have finally, with the help of Messy Moo organised lifestyle, sorted out my ‘floordrobe’) but Spring is an excellent time to think about a rethink of your emotions too.  I asked life coach and hypnotherapist Cat Raincock to write this piece for us.

There is so much talk of cleaning up your diet but what about your emotions? Do you ever do an emotional detox and spring clean your mind? If you haven’t, then I encourage you to do so, especially if you want to achieve your best health ever.  It’s not only alternative practitioners that recognise the importance of a healthy mind. Conventional western medicine affirms that health and disease are not only related to the chemical condition of the cells, but also a person’s state of mind.

Research has shown that the cells that carry emotions to the brain are also present in the immune system and impact the nervous and endocrine system. Therefore, what we think and feel has a profound impact on our health. This is why a positive mental attitude is especially important. However, suppressing emotions and choosing positive thoughts instead of dealing with the negative thoughts and emotions is as bad as eating a whole bag of crisps with a tub of ice cream.

cat heashot

Admittedly, I was guilty of this myself – suppressing emotions and putting on a happy face most of the time. Having two kids triggered my unravelling! I was constantly trying to be the perfect mum at the detriment of mine and my family’s health.

Life has a funny way of sending you interesting challenges along the way and eventually life pushed me to seek help. This came in the form of a massive emotional detox where I looked back at the events in my childhood and got clarity on my negative thought patterns and the link to my self/esteem failure. I began honouring negative emotions and releasing the need to control my thoughts. When you do this, it will help you let go and heal from many things: unhappy childhood experiences, difficult relationships, pain, regret, guilt and shame. It was the most empowering and liberating experience and I’m so thankful for it. It was hard at times, I’m not going to lie! Lots of tears but huge releases and I’m a completely different person than I was five years ago. Essentially the same but happier and with a completely different perspective on life.   

I’m not saying a good cry once in a while is going to solve all your problems, but what I am saying is that stop trying to put on a brave face and tell everyone you are always happy, when maybe you are not. Tears actually release stress hormones and manganese (both of which are found in high amounts in the brains of depressed people, therefore, you NEED to cry once in a while). It’s time to turn back the clock, rewrite the past do that you can make way for the future.

Now I live in the present, appreciate the small things in life, use positive language, am kind to myself and most importantly I have stopped putting on a brave face and realise that imperfect is just perfect!

So stop spring cleaning your house and focus on what’s really important. A clear mind equals a clear life, emotionally and physically. Give birth to a new version of you this Spring. You matter.

Check out Cat’s Unconditional Self Love Programme – at time of going to press check our comps page!

www.catraincock.com

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