From the Inside Out: Healing My Body, Mind, and Spirit

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my journey, it’s that true healing doesn’t happen in isolation. You can’t just focus on your body while neglecting your mind and spirit, or vice versa. To feel whole, all parts of you must be nurtured and cared for. My path to healing—after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease—has been a holistic one, requiring me to address not just my physical health, but also my mental well-being and my faith.

Here’s how I’ve embraced healing from the inside out.

Healing My Body

When my autoimmune diagnosis turned my world upside down, my body felt like it was working against me. I’d lost energy, strength, and trust in my physical health. But I knew I couldn’t give up on my body; instead, I had to learn to care for it in a whole new way.

• Nourishment:
  I adopted a diet that focuses on healing from within. This includes nutrient-dense foods, plenty of protein, and fermented options to support gut health—a key factor in autoimmune conditions. Fasting through Alternate Day Fasting (ADF) has also been a cornerstone of my physical recovery, helping me reduce inflammation and reset my body.

• Movement:
  Although I’m not back to the level of physical activity I had before my diagnosis, I’ve found joy in gentle movement. Daily walks, stretching, and strength training three times a week have helped me rebuild my confidence and energy.

• Rest:
  Healing requires rest. I’ve learned to listen to my body and honor when it needs downtime. Prioritizing quality sleep and giving myself permission to take breaks has been essential.

Healing My Mind

Chronic illness doesn’t just affect your body—it takes a toll on your mental health, too. Anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt can creep in, especially when your life takes an unexpected turn. Addressing my mental well-being has been just as important as caring for my physical health.

• Therapy:
  Working with a therapist has been transformative. It’s given me tools to process the grief of losing the life I once had, manage stress, and navigate uncertainty.

• Journaling:
  Writing has become one of my favorite outlets for processing emotions. Whether it’s gratitude journaling or simply jotting down my thoughts, putting pen to paper helps me clear my mind and focus on the positives.

• Mindfulness:
  Practicing mindfulness through deep breathing and meditation has helped me stay present and grounded. It’s a reminder that even on the hardest days, there are moments of peace to be found.

Healing My Spirit

At the heart of my journey is my faith. Recommitting to Christ in adulthood has been the most profound part of my healing. My relationship with God has given me the strength and perspective to keep moving forward, even when the path feels uncertain.

• Prayer and Devotion:
  Daily prayer and time in the Word have become non-negotiables for me. They help me center my day, find clarity, and lean on God for guidance and peace.

• Worship:
  Listening to worship music and attending church have reignited my faith and reminded me of God’s unchanging love, even in the midst of trials.

• Trusting God’s Plan:
  One of the hardest lessons has been learning to trust God’s timing. My journey hasn’t gone the way I expected, but I’ve come to see that there is purpose in the pain and beauty in the process.

A Holistic Perspective

Healing from the inside out isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about finding what works for you and embracing the process, even when it’s messy. For me, the combination of caring for my body, prioritizing my mental health, and deepening my faith has made all the difference.

If you’re on your own healing journey, I encourage you to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Are there areas you’ve been neglecting? How can you show yourself more grace and care? Healing takes time, but it’s worth every effort.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. My hope is that it inspires you to embrace holistic healing and discover the beauty of living with intention, balance, and faith.