Emotional expression is vital for long-term wellness.  As stated in previous posts, suppressed emotions run the risk of developing into harmful physical symptoms.  The key is to allow your emotions to flow freely through without getting stuck on them for too long.  Processing dark emotions in a healthy way is a skill anyone can develop and mindfulness is the way.

Once we acknowledge our emotion and say “I am sad”, I am angry”, “I am confused”, we can then mindfully choose a healthy adaptive response and break old maladaptive habits at the same time.  Quite naturally, excessive television, eating or drinking and impulse shopping fade away as they are replaced by presence in the moment.  Focusing on breath and what serves you best, you may decide that time out in a nurturing environment is the best choice for you, alone or with a supportive person.  This is the turning point to enhanced quality of life.

Repressed emotions live in us like an unhealed wound.  Science confirms that blocked emotions affect us on the cellular level.  Stem cell biologist, Dr. Bruce Lipton reveals evidence of the interconnected nature between thoughts and physical sensations in his widely acclaimed book, “The Biology of Belief”.  Muscle tension, insomnia, and skin rashes are just a few of the many symptoms of unresolved hurts.

The first step to healing repressed emotions is acknowledging them. Accept them the moment they arise.  If you feel angry, allow yourself to feel the anger without denying its presence or downplaying the significance of it.  Saying things like, “I shouldn’t feel this way” only discredits your experience.  Honour your emotion and your experience, then express it and release it in a healthy way.  There are many options for processing emotions that will be discussed in upcoming posts.

Emotions are like people.  They like to be acknowledged and accepted without conditions.  If we deny or suppress our emotions, they do not simply disappear.  Instead, they continue to live within us until something triggers their return.

For instance, sadness may spontaneously emerge when a certain song is played on the radio.  Anger may arise when a dramatic scene is played out on television or real life.  Processing emotions as they arise is vital to on-going wellness.  Mindfulness allows us to acknowledge and accept all of our emotions as they happen and choose healthy, adaptive responses.

Emotions are vital.  They can save your life.  Feelings of fear may signal the need to reassess the situation while feelings of sadness may indicate something in your life requires attention.  Mindfulness helps us to see the value of all emotions.

Whether your mind is filled with anxious thoughts or stomach filled with butterflies, mindfulness allows you to detach from your experiences and observe without judgement.  It is in this place of open awareness where stress dissolves and access to inner peace and wisdom becomes available.

Emotions are the essence of being human.  Without emotions, life would be flat.  One might even go as far as to say, “Life would be lifeless!”

Emotions are energy!  When emotions move through us, they motivate us in one way or another.  A person who feels excitement is motivated to take action while a person who feels nothing may be despondent and lethargic.  Some emotions stay with us for long periods while others visit only briefly and sporadically.  Dark emotions such as anger and sadness may stay longer than we like, blocking our ability to live life fully.

When we hide difficult emotions or deny them, they take residence in our body.  In order to free ourselves from sticky emotions, we need to find ways to release them in a healthy manner.  Mindfulness is a highly effective tool for dealing with difficult emotions.  Anxiety, fear, and sadness can get the better of us if we allow.  The next few posts will offer insights and tips for dealing with difficult emotions and processing them in a healthy and mindful manner!

Peace is always available within.  Mindfulness naturally leads us to our inner oasis.  Through meditation, we come to realize this stillness within is always accessible regardless the level of difficulty we face.  When we accept each moment as it is,  we embrace presence on purpose.  We realize that we only have moments to live and it is in these moments that the richness, beauty and magic of life lies.  Take a deep breath and appreciate what is here right now.  Our overall health and aliveness depends on it!

Give yourself permission to slow down in life.  Stop the endless striving and allow yourself to simply be in the present moment.  Practice kindness for yourself regularly with mindful eating, mindful walking and mindful relaxation.  When mindfulness becomes a habit, life is simply more beautiful.

As you notice subtle changes in the world around you and the cycles of life through changing seasons, you develop greater appreciation for everything and everyone.  This includes yourself.  You appreciate your body more, the changing sensations within and the energy it provides you to accomplish what is important to you.  The practice of mindfulness is truly the greatest gift you could ever give yourself!

Simplified living leads to a healthier lifestyle. With increased awareness, what you no longer need or what no longer serves you well naturally falls away.  Unhealthy habits such as overeating or overindulging in external forms of gratification give way to mindful eating and mindful choices.  You catch yourself in the moment and stop before crossing the line.

For example, you catch yourself reaching for a second helping and mindfully resist the temptation.  You mindfully choose only one alcoholic beverage or none, or purchase only what you need and refrain from overspending.  Acknowledging limits while honouring health and wellbeing is truly liberating for the soul!

The practice of mindfulness naturally leads to a more simplified way of living.  When you become aware of your most basic experiences in life such as your breathing, body sensations and flow of thoughts, you naturally become more present in life.  This moment to moment awareness allows you to experience the external world in a refreshing new way, no matter what you are doing.  Whether you are shopping for groceries, preparing a meal or taking a stroll, you may find yourself spontaneously paying more attention and delighted by new discoveries.

For instance, if you are strolling a route you frequently travel , you may notice for the very first time a beautiful tree and it’s magnificent blooms.   You are captivated by the sweet scent wafting through the air and pull a branch towards you to breathe in the heavenly scent.  This simple act is powerfully enlivening as it reminds us that beauty and joy are always present.  We only need to open our minds to experience it.

When trust prevails, surrendering to the flow of life comes naturally.  You appreciate all aspects of your life, see value in adversity, and honour your self and your experiences without conditions.  As Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living states, “Mindfulness is a radical act of love”.  There is an infinite well of love within us.  Why not tap into this free and accessible source that will revitalize you from the core and help transcend limitations beyond your current knowing.  When you are filled with love, love automatically radiates to all those around you.