Emotional Cleansing [Information + Steps]

As we discussed yesterday, we want to really to direct January’s focus towards cleansing the mind, body and soul. January is the perfect time to rid of the negativity within our lives. Today we want to focus on taking steps to “emotionally cleanse”.

To begin, we would like to share an amazing resource Chopra Centered Living, and recognize that our physical health may shed light on what we are feeling internally.

Lets hone in on common emotions that may occur if you are coping with a pediatric cancer diagnosis [provided by Chopra Centered Living]:

• Anxiety is chronic fear. You may not feel the acute signs of fear because you’ve grown use to them and your body has adapted. Since the body can’t completely adapt, the fear may manifest as numbness, tuning out, irritability, and sleeplessness. The body may also feel listless or restless.
• Anger is most often manifested in the body as warmth and flushed skin, tense muscles, a clenched jaw or fists, irregular or quick breathing, an accelerated heartbeat, and a feeling of pounding in the ears.
• Frustration is like anger but is more pent up. It may feel like your body wants to lash out but doesn’t know which way to turn. Your movements and posture may become rigid. Sometimes frustration is anger combined with denial. In this case, you will experience signs of denial, such as unusually rapid speech, shrugging, averted eyes, tightened jaw muscles, and shallow breathing.
• Depression feels cold and heavy. The body is lethargic and lacking in energy.  Depressed people may feel cold much of the time. The body may move slowly, rigidly, or hesitantly, reflecting the condition of depression.

Steps to begin YOUR emotional Cleanse:

1. Acknowledge your pain, stressors or anxiety. Although it may sound cliche in regards to saying “the first step is acceptance”, it truly kicks off your journey of cleansing. 
2. Be honest with yourself and with others. By engaging in honest conversations with eliminate any extra stress that hiding your anxieties may cause. Additionally this could initiate help from others you may not have otherwise had.
3. Embrace letting yourself feel. It is okay to let yourself feel, let it out. Although these moments may seem vulnerable, it is important to embrace them. It is how you begin to take steps forward.
4. Avoid situations/activities that are toxic. This could be as simple as watching a sad movie. Cancer already consumes a large portion of your energy; therefore wasting the energy you have left over is unnecessary. Additionally remove items from your house, car, room that remind you of negative situations.
5. 5.     Surround yourself with people, activities, and situations that make you happy, that inspire you to continue fighting. This is arguably one of the most important aspects of cleansing. Once you have rid yourself of the negative aspects that have been lingering within your life, it is those positive people and activities that will take their place.