| > | | | | bed). |
| | | | I’ve practiced journal writing as a self help tool |
| Sometimes good comes from being blinded by the light | | | | for many years and still find it, to this day, one of the |
| Self improvement (or self help) tools come in many | | | | greatest self help and self improvement tools around |
| shapes and sizes; sometimes it’s physical in | | | | — and it costs nothing! |
| nature (a self help book, having a massage, painting | | | | Write out your worries, sadness, loneliness, or |
| with water colors), or spiritual in nature (flower | | | | whatever is playing on your mind. When you’ve |
| essences, Reiki, meditation which is both physical and | | | | done that write in your journal the excitement, |
| spiritual, etc). | | | | enthusiasm and passion you intend to experience for |
| Five of the best self help options that I’ve used | | | | the day ahead, the projects you’re working on, |
| successfully to help soothe my own mind, body and | | | | friends you’ll catch up with, food you’ll |
| spirit, are: | | | | eat, possible miracles that might happen, shopping to |
| 1. Meditation techniques — a fabulous self help | | | | be done, your work day etc. |
| tool which greatly benefits overall health and wellbeing. | | | | 1. Have a massage. Treat yourself to some bodywork |
| There are many techniques to choose from such as: | | | | like a Swedish massage. Swedish is a more traditional |
| - Visually guided meditations; | | | | or western soft tissue type of massage, however if |
| - Candle meditation; | | | | you’re after something a little more unique for |
| - Breathing meditation; | | | | healing mind, body, and spirit you could choose: |
| - Crystal meditation; | | | | - Aromatherapy massage — there’s |
| - Writing meditation (alternating using dominant and | | | | nothing quite like this one using essential oils for body, |
| non-dominant hand); | | | | mind and spirit. |
| - Walking meditation; | | | | - Ka Huna, LomiLomi — gentle, relaxing, soothing |
| - Body scanning; and | | | | and stretching massage (even watching this massage |
| - A self healing meditation using either color; breathe | | | | is relaxing); |
| work; aromatherapy; etc. | | | | - Reflexology — therapeutic hand and foot |
| 1. Painting with water colors, pastels or oil paints | | | | massage; |
| — express your uniqueness through art. This is | | | | - Reiki — hands on energy healing (aligns |
| a wonderful self help tool to employ for inner healing, | | | | Chakras etc) |
| letting go and for creating something new (a | | | | - Vichy Shower — warm water is directed over |
| masterpiece for your lounge room wall). | | | | your body, gently massaging it (this is heavenly, |
| 1. Vibrational essences. Part of ancient wisdom, | | | | especially after a salt scrub). |
| vibrational essences are used in healing to assist with | | | | - Acupressure — form of bodywork based on |
| the removal of emotional blocks and patterns, as well | | | | Chinese Meridian theory |
| as resolving issues from past lives. | | | | - Ayurvedic — part of a traditional detoxification |
| Essences are generally in liquid form and can also be | | | | and rejuvenation program of India called Panchakarma |
| used in creams, ointments and oils (I sometimes | | | | — vigorious massage with warm oils and herbs |
| combine mine with an aromatherapy oil blend). | | | | to remove toxins, is calming and balancing, and |
| Vibrational substances are derived from light (sun, | | | | facilitates profound inner peace. |
| moon etc), healing energy (universal or spiritual energy, | | | | - Hot stone massage — warm smooth stones |
| prana, Reiki etc), plants (flowers, stems, leaf etc), | | | | are applied to the body and employed by the |
| mineral (crystals, gold etc), environmental (sacred | | | | therapist’s hands. |
| places), or animal. | | | | A massage not listed that I experienced while ago |
| Some examples of essences available (there are | | | | was a form of Swedish massage. I was given small |
| many) to explore further as a self help tool are: | | | | smooth rocks to hold in either hand, at the end of the |
| - Flower, Gem, Angel, Shell, Coral, Sea, Goddess, and | | | | massage the therapist held my feet and |
| Chakra essences | | | | tuned’ me, which sounded like a clarinet |
| 1. Journal writing is a fabulous self help healing tool | | | | going up and down the scales. To say I felt relaxed |
| connecting you with your true essence, your spiritual | | | | and energised at the same time is an understatement. |
| self. | | | | It was amazing. |
| Find yourself a special journal/diary to write in; | | | | I’ve road tested many self help tools over the |
| something special to write with (can be brightly colored | | | | years; it’s been an amazing journey with the |
| inks or the more traditional black, blue or reds) and | | | | most profound assistance coming from spirit. |
| make a date with yourself to do some journal writing | | | | Sometimes good comes from being blinded by the |
| every morning at the same time (before rising out of | | | | light. |