Self-improvement (or self-help) tools come in many shapes and sizes; sometimes it’s physical in nature (a self-help book, having a massage, painting with watercolors), or spiritual in nature (flower essences, Reiki, meditation which is both physical and spiritual, etc).
Five of the best self-help options to successfully to help soothe your mind, body, and spirit, are:
1. Meditation techniques – a fabulous self-help tool that greatly benefits overall health and well-being. There are many techniques to choose from such as:
Visually guided meditations;
Candle meditation;
Breathing meditation;
Crystal meditation;
Writing meditation (alternating using dominant and non-dominant hand);
Walking meditation;
Body scanning; and
A self-healing meditation using either color; breathing work; aromatherapy; etc.
2. Painting with watercolors, pastels, or oil paints – express your uniqueness through art.
3. Vibrational essences.
Essences are generally in liquid form and can also be used in creams, ointments, and oils (I sometimes combine mine with an aromatherapy oil blend).
Vibrational substances are derived from light (sun, moon, etc), healing energy (universal or spiritual energy, prana, Reiki etc), plants (flowers, stems, leaves, etc), minerals (crystals, gold, etc), environmental (sacred places), or animal.
Some examples of essences available (there are many) to explore further as a self-help tool are:
Flower, Gem, Angel, Shell, Coral, Sea, Goddess, and Chakra essences
4. Journal writing is a fabulous self-help healing tool connecting you with your true essence, your spiritual self.
Find yourself a special journal/diary to write in; something special to write with (can be brightly colored inks or the more traditional black, blue or reds) and make a date with yourself to do some journal writing every morning at the same time (before rising out of bed).
I’ve practiced journal writing as a self-help tool for many years and still find it, to this day, one of the greatest self-help and self-improvement tools around – and it costs nothing!
Write out your worries, sadness, loneliness, or whatever is playing on your mind. When you’ve done that write in your journal the excitement, enthusiasm, and passion you intend to experience for the day ahead, the projects you’re working on, friends you’ll catch up with, food you’ll eat, possible miracles that might happen, shopping to be done, your work day, etc.
5. Have a massage.
Aromatherapy massage – there’s nothing quite like this one using essential oils for the body, mind, and spirit.
Ka Huna, LomiLomi – gentle, relaxing, soothing, and stretching massage (even watching this massage is relaxing);
Reflexology – therapeutic hand and foot massage;
Reiki – hands-on energy healing (aligns Chakras etc)
Vichy Shower – warm water is directed over your body, gently massaging it (this is heavenly, especially after a salt scrub).
Acupressure – a form of bodywork based on the Chinese Meridian theory
Ayurvedic – part of a traditional detoxification and rejuvenation program of India called Panchakarma – vigorous massage with warm oils and herbs to remove toxins, is calming and balancing and facilitates profound inner peace.
Hot stone massage – warm smooth stones are applied to the body and employed by the therapist’s hands.
A massage not listed is a Swedish massage. You get small smooth rocks to hold in either hand, at the end of the massage the therapist holds your feet and ‘tunes’ you, which sounds like a clarinet going up and down the scales. It is supposed to make you feel relaxed and energized at the same time.
michaelascherr.com Michaela Scherr, Spiritual Growth Advocate
I’ve road-tested many self-help tools over the years; it’s been an amazing journey with the most profound assistance coming from spirit. Sometimes good comes from being blinded by the light.