healing Archives

September 15, 2021 By Divya Thampi 6 Comments

The Secret To Connecting With Others And Healing

An Act of Courage

Rishabh’s body trembled almost imperceptibly, lips quivered and tears brimmed over. He was telling his friend about the time, two years ago, when he found out that he had failed his semester exams. The friend who was listening to him, looked somber and sighed, seeing how devastating the incident had been for Rishabh. “That must have been really hard for you. I am trying to imagine what it must have been like for you to handle the burden of it, all by yourself. I wish I had spoken to you and told you that failing a semester didn’t change the way I see you and how much you mean to me as a friend,” he said, his eyes mirroring his friend’s pain.

This is an example of an interaction between one person choosing to be vulnerable with another, who in turn, chose to respond with understanding, care and compassion. It doesn’t need a doctorate degree for one to recognize that it must have taken a lot of courage for the speaker to open up about something that brought on feelings of shame, sadness and isolation. At the same time his friend’s response was honoring of Rishabh’s experience of pain. And such a conversation could mark the beginning of a healing process.

What Does it Mean to be Vulnerable?

In her book, ‘Daring Greatly’, Dr. Brené Brown describes vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” It is that feeling of going out of your comfort zone, opening yourself up to the risk of being judged, and letting go of control to some extent. One of the biggest myths about vulnerability is that it is a sign of weakness. Our society propagates the idea that being strong means not being scared, hurt, confused or jealous. We are told that being strong is about not feeling fear and being in total control. This idea has been drilled into our minds and hearts for very long. But is that true? Does being strong mean being perfect? Does it mean pretending to be okay at all times? Or managing all our life problems independently and not taking support?

The answer is a big NO! It is a myth that most of us have been reeled into. Not feeling fear would require us to numb every other feeling along with it; every feeling that makes us human.

But Dr Brown says “When we think of times that we have felt vulnerable or emotionally exposed, we are actually recalling times of great courage”. She adds that, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” We make the assumption that the things that make us feel distressed and ashamed, are things that should be hidden and kept a secret. But not talking about them reinforces the voice in our heads that tells us that we are not good enough. That clearly is of no help and could aggravate the feelings of alienation & disconnection.

Like in the example at the beginning of this blog, when Rishabh chose to be vulnerable, it opened up an opportunity for a significant person in his life to witness important parts of him, thus validating his feelings and making him feel whole again. And it is that wholeness that allows us to understand and accept that making mistakes, going through challenges, or struggling in relationships, is not shameful, rather, it is what makes us human. Acceptance of our fragility, accelerates the healing process.

Trying Out Vulnerability

If practicing vulnerability feels like too much of a leap for you, here are a few things that can help you begin:

Start with something really small, like telling a friend or colleague about devouring 4 mangoes in one go or not having a shower all day or feeling anxious about an upcoming meeting.
Whenever someone shares something with you, that makes them vulnerable, acknowledge their courage in sharing it with you and provide support with your listening and presence, without offering solutions or advice.

The Way Ahead

Let’s start one small step at a time in our own lives, because when you open yourself up to others and allow them to support and help you, you are also inspiring others around you to open up and thus helping the world to heal. As the famous author Haruki Murakami says “What happens when people open their hearts? They get better!”

We hope this article helps you. For more topics on mental health and emotional well-being, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

Go get tips on improving mental and emotional health, connect with your GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

March 31, 2019 By GOQii 2 Comments

GOQii to Introduce Reiki Booster Pills!

The Reiki Revolution has taken the world by a storm and everyone is turning to this form of alternative medicine. Although some people disagree and term it as pseudoscience, there is enough evidence to conclude that universal energy is real and can be harnessed to heal a person from emotional and physical ailments.

What is Reiki?

Developed by Mikao Usui in 1922, Reiki is etymologically derived from the Japanese words rei which means soul or spirit, and ki which means vital energy. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which the universal energy is transferred through the palms of a master to the patient in order to encourage physical, emotional or mental healing.

How Do Reiki Pills Work?

With no master or practitioner to guide or heal you without touch, how exactly do these pills help you harness energy from the universe? After thorough research on the effects of certain elements on the brain and a lot of trials and tribulations later, we found that when certain natural compounds are introduced in the human body, they create a reaction that enables your body to directly harness energy from the universe.

Since ancient times, well-known Rishis and Gurus from India have meditated in nature and have attained profound wisdom and nirvana. Why so? Why is it that in today’s times, with all our technology, we find it so difficult to find the peace or wisdom they did? We believe that the environment they were in had a crucial role to play in their enlightenment. The answer was in nature itself!

After much research, we were able to detect the elements and their effects on different brainwaves, namely, Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. We found that certain elements can trigger a reaction and influence these brainwaves to form a higher connection with universal energy for a certain period of time. This led to improved motor skills, reflexes and a burst of energy that lasted throughout the day. Other changes included an increase in focus, attention to detail, and the ability to learn new skills quickly.

Apart from the aforementioned positive outcomes, there were no notable side-effects on brain function or the body. With all the universal energy pouring directly into you, the possibilities are endless! You could heal from all your physical ailments. By connecting with a higher conscience, you need not worry about mental or emotional illnesses. You might even be able to live longer!

Thanks to the positive results of our testing, we will be launching the one-of-a-kind, never-seen-before ‘Reiki Booster’ on the GOQii Health Store soon. You can purchase the same for a huge discount with GOQii Cash. Stay tuned to the app, use this miracle product and make yourself healthier with the power of Reiki!

#BeTheForce

PS: Remember that there are no shortcuts to good health and fitness. You’ve got to work and walk for it! Happy April Fools Day!

February 13, 2019 By Arooshi Garg 1 Comment

4 Ways to Naturally Heal Common Colds and Flu

4 Ways to Natural Heal Common Colds and Flu It’s that time of the year again when the ‘change in weather’ hits us all! Immunity levels suddenly drop, paving the way for cold, cough, flu, and body aches, which hamper our daily activities, work and physical well-being. What exactly is cold? Is there a way to treat this horrible sickness naturally? Let’s find out!

What is Common Cold?
You get a cold when a tiny living thing called a virus gets into your body. There are a hundred different types of viruses that can get you sick. Once a cold virus gets inside you, your immune system – the body’s defense against germs, launches a counter-attack. Your body’s response to the virus sis what brings on the classic symptoms such as cough or a stuffed nose. The common cold is a viral, infectious disease that infects the upper respiratory system. It is also known as Acute Viral Rhinopharyngitis and Acute Coryza.

The viruses that cause common cold are contagious. You can contract them when someone who is infected sneezes, coughs, or shakes your hand. It can be spread by air droplets from coughs and sneezes and by touching infected surfaces. There are over 200 sub-types of viruses that can cause a cold with the Rhinovirus being the most common. Although colds occur more commonly in the winter, they can develop any time of the year. After a couple of weeks, at the most, your immune system fights off the illness and you should stop having symptoms.

Because there are more than 200 viruses that cause common cold, the human body can never build resistance to all of them. This is why colds are so common and often return. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), adults get 2–3 colds per year, and children may have up to 12 per year.

The symptoms of common cold are the body’s reaction to the cold virus. It triggers the release of chemicals, making the blood vessels leak, causing the mucous glands to work harder.

So what’s the solution? With no long-term solution to this issue, the only way is to either avoid it or treat it! Here are natural ways to heal from a cold and flu.

1. Steam Therapy:
Steam therapy is absolutely natural. Our bodies are made up of 50-60% water and steam is just droplets of water. Quite simply put, you are renewing one of your body’s natural biochemical elements.

Steam therapy or steam inhalation, is the method of introducing warm, moist air into the lungs via the nose and throat. The prime benefit of breathing in moist, warm steam is that it may help ease the feeling of irritation and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. The moisture may also help thin the mucus in your sinuses, which allows them to empty more easily. This can return your breathing to normal.

Ways to Use Steam Therapy
a. Traditional: Boil a few cups of water, then pour the steaming water into a large bowl. Place gently on a firm flat surface such as a kitchen table. Put a towel over your head to form a ‘tent’. Lean over with your face 15-20cm from the steam and inhale. Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil and Holy Basil Leaves can be added for extra benefit.

b. Shower: Run a hot shower and inhale the steam – you can even use few drops of essential oils to help refresh and revitalize.

c. Personal Inhalers: An easy and portable way to enjoy steam therapy on the go. A great idea for the office or holidays, inhalers are also popular with public speakers, actors and singers to help open up the airways before a performance.

2. Gargle
Gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus. This helps in flushing out irritants or bacteria. Salt water creates a high-salt barrier and pulls out a lot of fluids from the tissues in the throat area. This helps in washing the virus out. The salt functions as a magnet for water. It’s good for symptomatic relief.

It’s best to use pure water because tap water often includes chlorine. One can also add Turmeric juice or powder to have an antiseptic effect. One can gargle every 4 hours if the cough/cold is troublesome.

3. Maintain Hydration Levels
Drinking plenty of fluids is one of the most important things you can do when you have a cold or flu. Because cold and flu symptoms like runny noses and sweating, which often accompanies fever, increase the amount of water your body loses. Dehydration might occur if your fluid intake is not increased to compensate. Keeping your body hydrated also helps loosen mucus in your nose and relieve congestion. Staying hydrated ensures that the body can function properly and can defend itself more effectively against the cold or flu.

When you have a cold or flu, drink a minimum of 2 litres of fluid each day. Drink water or another healthy fluid whenever you are thirsty. Use your thirst as a guide to when and how much you should drink. If you are caring for a child who is over one year, ensure they drink a minimum of 90–120ml of fluid per hour. Babies under one year require at least 30–60ml fluid per hour. Pregnant women should increase their fluid intake to up to 2.50 litres per day.

Try these herbal concoctions:

Herbal Tea: In a glass of boiling water, add apinch of cinnamon, a few holy basil leaves, crushed ginger and a few crushed black peppercorns. Add honey and drink while hot.
Carom Seeds Infused Water: Boil Carom Seeds in water. Strain and add Jaggery powder. This helps in relieving cough and congestion.
Garlic Concoction: Combine 2-4 cloves,chopped garlic and 3-4 slices of fresh ginger with 1 cup of Cover and let it steep for at least 20 minutes. Add honey and lemon to taste. Drink it while it is luke warm.
Licorice Tea: Boil a 1/2inch piece of licorice + 1/2 tsp grated ginger and 1/2 spoon of cinnamon in 1 cup water for 10 mins. Strain and drink.
Raw Turmeric Drink: Boil a 1inch piece of raw Turmeric or a 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder for 5 minutes. Add ginger juice/honey and consume.
Green Tea and Chamomile Tea
Soups: Vegetable soup/chicken soup/clear soup/chicken broth, lemon coriander soup, garlic spinach soup, tomato fennel soup, veg broth. Ahot bowl of soup helps break up the congestion associated with both colds and the flu. The salt in the soup and its warmth can soothe a sore throat.

4. Rest
Rest is the best treatment! When you have a cold or flu, doctors recommend get plenty of bed rest. When you limit mobility/take rest, your body has more resources to fight off your illness. Your body temperature goes up if you remain very active. Flu and cold organisms replicate at a faster rate when the body gets hotter.Also, if you head to the office when you are sick, the stress of work can make it hard for your body to attack the illness.

Do not over-exert yourself. You can do light intensity workout if you have the energy, your symptoms are mild such as just a runny nose, or if you have been fever free for more than 48 hours.

Avoid Exercise: When you have fever, body aches, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or chronic health concerns such as asthma /heart diseases.
Best Exercises: Walking, yoga or a light jog. All these stimulate you to take deep breaths and can help open up clogged passages.
Worst Exercises: Endurance runs, machines at gym and weight lifting.

Hope this information helps you stay healthy and away from illness this season!

Have a personal remedy of your own? Share it with us in the comments below!