Change your mind – Keep the change
What?! Therapy?!? Not for me…. I don’t need it…. No way!
If you are one of those ardent critiques of the new age of holistic health and well-being, then you will be undeniably surprised to know that ‘therapy’ is the new wellness mantra! My best friend Susan quit her job and started her own business, Leila got over her failed relationship and was looking forward to finding love again, Steven overcame his phobia for creepy crawly insects, George started exceeding his sales targets and Mariam was able to get rid of her addiction to cola. These are just a few of the people who have tried and tested different genres of therapy and successfully managed to change their lives around.
The dictionary defines therapy as: The treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process, or anything which has a curative power or quality. Any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension. (Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/therapy)
In that sense then, therapy today is much more than being limited to the traditional concept of it being associated with a ‘treatment’ of some kind or ‘psychotherapy.’ Therapy today falls under a wide spectrum of any practice that acts as an educative and motivational tool in promoting one’s overall well-being by driving positive change.
Professional coaches today use a variety of tools and techniques helping individuals overpower challenges, achieve goals, thereby facilitating a process to lead a prosperous, balanced and healthy lifestyle, one which we all wish and want. Most coaches use a combination of different techniques to optimize maximum results and ensure success. You do have a financial obligation, however the investment you make in yourself aids commitment and has long term benefits; in the bigger picture it’s a small price to pay.
However those of you who are still skeptical of whether you should or should not, whether you can afford to or not, whether it really works or not, whether it’s best for you or not?! Whatever your reasons are here are 3 ’do it yourself’ techniques which you can use in order to help deal and defeat common problems.
- When you feel sad, low and unhappy or down: Do the opposite. If you’re feeling down literally look up. When we are feeling sad or low we tend to look internally; as a result you unconsciously look down which only makes you feel worse. E.g. dropped head when one is crying. The next time you are feeling unhappy; look up and notice the immediate difference to your mood/outlook.
- When you feel stressed, overwhelmed, out of options, possibilities and/or for your well-being: Reframe! Reframe! Reframe! Axe out negative phrases and statements from your everyday life. Stop and rephrase them with a positive spin on the words you use out aloud or even when in internal dialogue with yourself. Our thoughts determine our reality. When we stop thinking about what we don’t want or can’t do and begin thinking about what we do want and can do; our day/life begins to transform. Instead of working against our desires and intentions, we move into alignment with them. For e.g.: “I am a bad person; I have such an ugly past” to “I am such a wise person; I have learnt so much from my past.”
- When you feel nervous, anxious, tense or edgy: Focus/stare at a particular point on the ceiling, directly up and above from where you are standing. Whilst staring at a fixed point inhale deeply and exhale fully, minimum of three times to feel instantly calmer, relaxed and more in control of the incident/event.
These are quick tips and if used repeatedly, in time will become an unconscious habit leaving you feeling energized, confident and in control. You may find that you resonate with some more than the others and that is only natural. One of the advantages of the existing and newly emerging forms of therapy is the vast reservoir of techniques to choose from. Seek and select that which is supportive towards your growth and assists you in moving forward to positively alter the course of your life.
The question then is not so much about an aversion to therapy. It is about; what therapy works best for you.