Introduction to Mind/Emotion detox

A holistic approach is one that encompasses and recognises the significance and interconnection of our mind, body and spirit. Therefore, with detoxification it is essential to mobilise resources on all levels as a preventative measure and to ensure that we are as healthy as possible. Part of mental detoxification involves cleansing our minds of negative thought patterns, uncovering hidden emotions such as grief, anger or fear and through a process of release, transforming these into feelings of forgiveness, hope, love and joy. Growth and evolution are a necessary part of the healing process and elimination on an emotional level can help us to acknowledge and 'let go' of problems from our past such as childhood issues or relationship struggles.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that emotional distress compromises our health and organs, in particular when emotions are intense or have been suppressed. There are five main emotions connected to the five elements. Worry or sympathy are the primary emotions associated with the Earth Element. Someone who constantly needs a lot of sympathy and will tell at the drop of a hat all about their ailments and problems, or who has obsessional behaviour patterns and is continually fretting. Alternatively, one can have an aversion to the above and cannot stand being fussed over. Excessive amounts of anger, frustration, jealousy irritation or suppressed rage point to the Wood Element and show us that it is not balanced. Laughter, love and joy are connected to the heart and Fire element emotions and an imbalance can manifest in someone who can't laugh, demonstrate their feelings of love or conversely, who shows an excess of these emotions. Fear and shock are the emotions are tied in with the Water element and the emotion of grief and 'letting go' is linked to the Metal element

Western medicine is at long last beginning to recognise that health and disease are related not only to the chemical conditions of the cells and physiology of body but to our state of mind. Research into psychoneuroimmunology has identified that the cells, which carry emotions to the brain, are also present in our immune system, confirming that what we think and feel does have an impact on our entire immune system, thus having a profound impact on our health. Other studies have also shown that the molecular messengers of the cells connect the immune, nervous and endocrine system and are strongly affected by our emotional state of health.

Naturopathy supports the belief that a variety of factors including dietary, physical, emotional and mental, hereditary factors, the environment as well as our lifestyle all contribute towards disease or health. Many think that the emotional aspect is rather a new age concept whereas in fact, the philosophy dates back centuries. For example, the pioneering doctor and naturopath Lindlahr did not merely focus on the physical aspects of naturopathy such as detoxification, massage, spinal manipulation or dietary therapeutics, but embraced the psychological and spiritual aspects and believed that negative thoughts and feelings such as anxiety or fear can have a detrimental effect on the life force. In his work he devoted time in encouraging one to develop a positive attitude of mind and soul. One of his famous affirmations was:

"I am now completely relaxed in body and mind. I am receptive to nature's harmonious and invigorating vibrations - they dispel the discordant and destructive vibrations of hurry, worry, fear and anger. New life, new health, new strength are entering into me with every breath, pervading my whole being".