The Holistic Power of Friendship
First of all, I'd like to say how good it is to be back home at Suite101! Returning to be with good friends is what led me to the idea for this article, as I can feel myself healing already. Why do I believe that friendship is a holistic healer?
There are many benefits that we might not think of when we think of our friends, but friends can help heal the body, mind, and spirit. In this article, we will explore each of these areas and hopefully gain a new appreciation for people we sometimes take for granted.
THE BODY
Exercise Programs
How many times have you started an exercise program that lasted less than a week? Whether at home or at the gym, having someone to work out with will up the chances that you actually continue with your program. A little friendly competition might make things more interesting as well.
If you do your exercise at a gym, try joining a group instead of doing an individual program. Even if you use weights and machines, you might add an aerobics or yoga class to your regimen.
If you exercise at home, invite someone to join you. I realize it is difficult to have someone visit every single day, but most of you can find time to exercise with a friend at least once a week. Having this companionship is supportive and fun and will make you much more committed to your routine. I also recommend a scheduled time each week to avoid the pitfalls of trying to rebalance your schedule and simply forgetting.
Pain & Illness
As we've discovered here in our own group at Holistic Alternatives, we may neglect healing tools that we have at our disposal, like Reiki, if we don't have the encouragement of our peers.
This also crosses over into the mental and emotional area because we need support and encouragement when we're feeling bad physically.
Don't be embarrassed to tell your friends and loved ones that you are having problems with pain or illness either, and don't be ashamed to ask for help when you need it. Overdoing when you're in pain can make it so much worse. After all, that's part of what friends are for.
Body Image
Sometimes we also feel badly about our body image, the way we think others perceive us or the way we perceive ourselves. As a friend, give a compliment, and if you're feeling bad about how you look, ask for some support to make needed changes.
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