When we think of taking care of our health, we don’t immediately think about how important our ears are. Usually it’s not until you actually are suffering from some kind of ear infection, tinnitus, or other form of ear discomfort that you realize how important your ear health is to your overall wellness.
Anyone who has suffered from ringing in the ears or persistent tinnitus knows just how debilitating it can be.
- Consider these harsh facts:
- 50 million Americans are affected by tinnitus and 6% are incapacitated by it.
- Most people seeking medical attention for tinnitus learn that they have no serious medical problem causing it.
- Chronic tinnitus can be extremely stressful and lead to sleep disruptions and a negative impact on your overall well-being.
This just highlights the importance of understanding the true meaning of holistic health.
Holistic health is the approach to life that takes into account multidimensional aspects of wellness, including mental, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual and physical.
What it means is, you cannot treat health issues as separate from your entire being.
If you are someone who suffers from ringing in your ears or some other form of tinnitus, you need to take a look at your health from a holistic standpoint.
This is not mumbo jumbo! This are facts. The problem is, our society has gotten really far away from the holistic side of things over the years, to the point where we cannot see the direct connection between our minds and bodies.
While nobody can know how badly you suffer from tinnitus but you, these are some quick and easy mindful practices to incorporate into your day-to-day that can help you to manage the symptoms while you get to the root of the problem.
1 . Empty Your Mind. Take a few moments out of every hour just to be completely still and relaxed.
2. Breath Mindfully. Focus only on your inhalations and exhalations.
3. Master your Mind. When your mind wanders, bring it back to the breath. Keep doing that until it becomes habit.
4. Act Mindfully. Be aware of every activity you do throughout the day and act consciously. When you are walking, simply walk. When you are driving, just drive. Practice the most simple ways of being fully immersed in the present moment.
5. Walk in Nature. Be outdoors as often as possible and when you are there, be there fully. Notice the feelings, sounds, smells, and sights around you. Work on becoming entirely present wherever you are.
6. Pay Attention to your Senses. Notice the taste and texture of the food you eat. Feel the water you swallow as it goes down your throat. Feel the surface you sit on, etc.
7. Practice Listening Without Judgement. Believe it or not, listening to someone without judgment is challenging for most people. Practice actively listening to whoever is talking to you with your full attention. Do not allow judgements to arise in your mind, simply listen to the words as they are spoken. Put all your attention into the act of pure listening.
8. Be Grateful. Stop what you are doing every so often and soften into a feeling of gratitude for your life right now. Find three things to focus on that bring you appreciation and gratitude.
9. Forgive yourself for Negative Thoughts. Don’t be harsh on yourself. If you have negative thoughts or slip into depression, just let that be. Allow feelings to pass through you and trust that you are doing the best that you can.
10. Go Easy on Yourself. Tell yourself that you are making progress and you are working on being more present, healthy, and mindful. Don’t speak to yourself harshly or be judgemental of where you are at. Treat yourself with love, always.
