Emotional Detox help?

[Carlsbad]

I'm wondering if anyone has any good ways to work through emotional detox. I keep having days where I just get really bummed. I used to feel like this almost every night when I was eating SAD, but I just stuffed it down with junk food and alcohol. I'm managing to stay raw despite the emotional blech, but I could use some solutions, or just ways to work through whatever it is. I'm getting pretty good at knowing what to do for physical detox moments, but I'm still unmoored by the emotional lows. Any ideas would be awesome; I miss my happy happy raw self, and I don't want to self-medicate with fried something nasty.

[dalimeindacoconut]

Light candles during the day and at night when you are at home. Your bowl of cherries inspired this one, but it seems it would be very healing to also have a beautiful bowl of apples and fruits floating in water next to the candles, but candles during the day really make me feel good. Need to buy some myself and I am going to try my suggestion!

[tanishamarshall]

For me writing always work, but I think you have to find something that you feel helps you release emotions, for some that might be yoga or taking a walk or talking with someone about it, I believe you will need to find that outlet that works for you. Maybe try one of the ones I mentioned and see if that helps.

[oceanee]

I haven't found a magical "cure" but I just felt it was all part of the process and happy boundless energy would follow. Sometimes I think if we embrace the feelings we would rather not have they will process more quickly and easily and then onward.
For me I went through a lot of emotional detox last month. It was a drag but I keep telling myself I needed to feel whatever it was. Kind like not beating your head against the wall and life gets easier....Make any sense?
Oceanee

[shashibala]

Changing what we eat can be hard especially if, like me, food was your comfort
and "substance" of choice. I am using this forum lots when I feel lost. I read what others have been through and write in my blog. Also, journaling can really help to let some of those feelings out. I am actually starting to read again in the evening. My food used to put me out like a light. I have more time to feel things now that food doesn't fill my every moment in the evening. I've been trying to do those nurturing things like taking a bath, curl up with a book, or light a candle like dalimeindacoconut suggested. We are learning new ways to care for ourselves and to calm our emotions. Its a big job! Best wishes to you!!!

[D'vorah]

This program has helped me more than anything else I've tried:

http://www.thepathway.org/

Deborah

[Zaphirah]

vigorous outdoor exercise works for me. it helps me to clear away the negative emotions and I find that the solutions and conclusions are then free to come to the surface. hth.

[Ingenue]

Start exploring yogic meditation/wisdom, buddhist chanting, anything along these lines that helps you NOT TO judge your emotions. Divine Order is always working and at the end of the day there's no such thing as a "negative" emotion no matter what your mind might label it as. It's just you being revealed to you. Every time you experience something that feels emotionaly awful it's another opportunity to turn inwards and get to know yourself. You really answered your own question, stuffing the emotions down never works. They fester, and grow more wild in the dark. When they come to the surface, i.e you are conscious of the emotion you have an invaluable chance to witness it, acknowledge it, and watch it dissolve. It's an amazing process once you get the hang of it!

Try this:
When you start to experience something uncomfortable in your mind (or any experience you'd rather escape from, really) try to get as still and silent as possible given your circumstances. Then immediately turn your focus to the subtle sensations inside your body. What's pulsing in your fingertips? What are the sensations around your breathing? Can you feel your blood flowing? If you are in a time of intense emotional pain it's quite possible that this exercise will reveal the physical sensations caused by that emotion. Your chest may be tight, it may hurt to breathe, your stomache may be cramping, accept it all and just witness it. It transforms so quickly when you're present with it. Denial of pain multiplies pain.

These tips were originally suggested by Eckhart Tolle, btw, so you may want to check out the Power of Now. Also Happy Yoga by Steve Ross has wonderful practices on releasing stored negativity once and for all...

Best of luck to you lady! Kudos on the honest and inspiring post....

Much love,
Emilie

[RawSweetie]

I often will "set the stage" so to speak for a good cry...a lit candle, dark room, quiet and solitude or maybe some beautiful, but sad music. It helps to get it out, then I feel lighter. As others have said, getting outside helps, too, even if it's only to sit on the porch and look at the sky (but moving is better, I think).

Also, I've found that a smoothie made with raw cacao powder from Natural Zing gives me a gentle, but very noticeable lift. Yay. :D

I cried my eyes out the night before last (lots of old stuff), then yesterday slept late, felt exhausted, mopey and unable to eat until late in the day. I'm sure it was emotional detox. Luckily, I had the day off so I could just go with it. I kept reminding myself that it would pass and today I woke up feeling better.

Hang in there.

[Yeshia]

My goodness do I hear you.

It happens to me in the evenings when I am am most likely to over eat too.

First I look hear for support and when that fails.....

My solution I put on some heart pounding music and work out on my rebounder

or get out of the house and do Brikman Yoga or some class with other people

or walk my dogs

or if i really have to indulge I make a decedent raw desert and cry into that:)

Hope this helps

As you can see I sort of push through theses sore spots

oxooxox

[Vivafree2]

I am like you Carlsbad , looking for the best way to deal with those moments or days. I agree that long walk or excercise or friends or going to the movies helps to get out of the state but it doesn't help to clear the problem. I really like the post about listening to the body sensations "refocus" and look at self from outside of self not through the pain. Here amd now meditation is great.
I write more, but with some things i am still at the same stage i was, some issues are not resolved still. I red beautiful post here about forgiving self and others and letting go. I guess it is all about letting go as i let go of the past itself let go of emotion associated with it. Recently i like visualisation about ideal healing place - that has waters and light and things to heal you. Detox is a process and we will get better!

[lore-ah]

vigorous outdoor exercise works for me. it helps me to clear away the negative emotions and I find that the solutions and conclusions are then free to come to the surface. hth.

Exercise helps me, too. I have panic disorder and not medicating myself with food makes things rough. Exercise really helps with a lot of issues that reside between our ears!

[Carlsbad]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everybody. I think I may try them all! I particularly like the idea of doing some kind of exercise. I may turn on dance music and go crazy in my living room. I think if I can shift to silly, the despondency will pass. The tough thing is that there aren't really any issues, it's just this feeling of sadness that has nothing to do with my circumstances or surroundings. I think dancing around like a fool will help it go away. But I'll keep all these suggestions in my hat for down times. Thanks!!

[RawHeaven]

Hi Carlsbad, soaking in a hot steaming bath with epsom salts, surrounded by my favorite scented candles and listening to healing music helps me through emotional detox. I usually put on my tibetan bell CD's* and I'm instantly transported to a very tranquil place.

*These CD's in my stereo right now are really good for calming the soul:

Jai Uttal/Ben Leinbach - Music for Yoga and Other Joys (so so good)

Benjamin Jobst - Seven Metals, Singing Bowls of Tibet

Pathaan - Tandava (13 really good tracks, a remix)


Also exercise, stretching, getting a full body massage, a sauna.

Any type of body pampering and mindful practice helps clear the toxins and at the same time eases the emotional body & mind making the funky stuff that's moving out easier to bear.

Hugs and hope you feel better.

Crystal