Self-Love: The Healing Power Within for Autoimmune Disease, Cancer, Chronic Health Issues, Anxiety, and Depression
Updated: Jul 25, 2024
Self-Love: The Healing Power Within for Autoimmune Disease, Cancer, Chronic Health Issues, Anxiety, and Depression.
Imagine waking up every day feeling unworthy, unloved, and insignificant. You go through the motions, but there's a constant, nagging voice in your head telling you that you don't deserve happiness, success, or love. This is the reality for many people who struggle with low self-worth and self-love. It's a pervasive issue that seeps into every aspect of life, validating negative choices and outcomes. As a nurse with 30 years of experience and a background in functional medicine, I've seen firsthand how these internal struggles manifest as chronic health issues, autoimmune diseases, cancer, anxiety, depression, etc.
The Impact of Low Self-Worth on Health
Low self-worth is a silent saboteur. It affects the way you see yourself and the world around you. When you believe you are not worthy of good things, you inadvertently validate this belief through your actions and choices. You might stay in unhealthy relationships, tolerate poor treatment, or neglect your health because, deep down, you feel you deserve no better.
For example, a patient of mine struggled with chronic illness and weight issues. Despite trying various treatments, nothing seemed to work. Through our conversations, it became clear that her low self-worth was a significant barrier. She felt undeserving of good health and happiness, which led to self-sabotaging behaviors like poor eating habits and neglecting self-care. This vicious cycle exacerbates conditions such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, anxiety, and depression.
The Power of Self-Love in Healing
Self-love is not about being self-centered or narcissistic; it's about recognizing your inherent worth and treating yourself with the kindness and respect you deserve. It means setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing your well-being, and believing that you are worthy of happiness and success.
In the Bible, Mark 12:30-31 (NIV) states:"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these."
This scripture emphasizes the importance of love, not just for God and others, but also for yourself. To love your neighbor as yourself, you must first cultivate self-love and recognize your own worth.
When you begin to address your self-image and self-love, you start to challenge and change those self-limiting beliefs. This journey is transformative. As you cultivate self-love, you will notice that other chronic health issues, autoimmune diseases, cancer, anxiety, and depression begin to change. Your environment has to change because you are no longer accepting things at a skewed level.
Steps to Cultivating Self-Love
Work With a Coach: Learn to lovingly guide yourself through the process of self-acceptance. Address the underlying self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and false narratives that have held you captive.
Recognize and Challenge Negative Beliefs: Start by identifying the negative beliefs you hold about yourself. Write them down and challenge their validity. Ask yourself where these beliefs come from and if they are truly accurate.
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a close friend. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment and remind yourself that it's okay to make mistakes and have flaws.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to things that drain your energy or harm your well-being. Setting boundaries is a vital act of self-love that protects your mental and physical health.
Engage in Self-Care: Prioritize activities that nurture your body, mind, and spirit. This could include exercise, healthy eating, meditation, hobbies, or simply taking time to relax and unwind.
Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Build a support system of people who uplift and encourage you. Distance yourself from those who perpetuate negativity or undermine your self-worth.
The Ripple Effect of Self-Love on Chronic Health Issues
When you change how you see and treat yourself, your environment will inevitably change. You will attract healthier relationships, make better choices, and experience a greater sense of fulfillment. This is not just a psychological shift; it has tangible effects on your physical health as well.
In my practice, I've seen patients overcome chronic illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and even improve their outcomes with cancer by simply changing their self-perception and embracing self-love. One patient who struggled with anxiety and chronic pain found relief through a holistic approach that included therapy, lifestyle changes, and a focus on self-love. As she began to value herself more, her symptoms diminished, and her quality of life improved dramatically.
Conclusion
The journey to self-love is not always easy, but it is profoundly rewarding. By addressing your self-worth and challenging self-limiting beliefs, you can transform your life in ways you never thought possible. Remember, when you change, your environment must change. You deserve to live a life filled with health, happiness, and love.
I encourage you to take the first step towards self-love. Your journey to healing starts within, and the power to change your life is already inside you. Embrace it, nurture it, and watch as your world transforms for the better.
Are you ready to start YOUR JOURNEY?? Schedule a session today. You have NOTHING to LOSE and everything to GAIN!
About the Author:
With over 28 years of nursing experience, Angel is dedicated to promoting holistic health and empowering patients to achieve optimal well-being. Her career in nursing, as well as her own health journey to overcome an autoimmune diagnosis, has been a testament to the power of integrative care, and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.
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