Toxic Thoughts = Toxic Body

Detoxifying your thoughts and emotions is another way to set you on a path of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. What we think affects us emotionally and physically, it's as simple as that. I believe that the mind, body and emotions are inseparable; your thoughts, attitudes and stress levels have an enormous impact on your physical well-being.

I'm sure you have all been exposed to people who have a 'toxic' energy ~ always focussing on the negative, glass half empty, highly reactive... you know the ones. They are often complaining about one ailment or another and something is always wrong with them. You can feel their energy immediately when they are in your presence, it's like walking into a heavy fog.

So how do we protect ourselves from this type of energy?

Early on in my career, I studied Pranic Healing, a highly evolved and tested system of energy healing. It is based on the fundamentals that the body is a "self repairing living entity that possesses the ability to heal itself and that the healing process is accelerated by increasing this life force that is readily available from the sun, air and ground to address physical and emotional imbalances."

It was here that I learned a technique I have never forgotten. If I feel like someone is zapping my energy or if their emotions are affecting me, I simply imagine myself surrounded by a protective bubble. I hear all they have to say and I genuinely listen but I visualise their words bouncing off my bubble while I am safe inside. Sounds simple? It is — you should try it!

How can we ensure that our personal emotions and thoughts are serving us and our health?

We all experience emotions and thoughts which can be toxic — jealousy, regret, worry, anxiety, anger, resentment... Here are my top 4 tips to help us embrace positive thoughts and emotions:

• Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily. Breathing well is one of the simplest ways to transform energy and enhance our health.
• Watch what you say to yourself and others. How do you treat yourself and everyone you come into contact with? What self-talk goes on inside your head daily? My golden rule: don't give into toxic thoughts. Ultimately it is our thoughts and our response to situations that can hurt us, and only we have control over this.
• Spend time in Nature. Nature is a wonderful healer, bestowing free gifts of fresh air and sunlight to us all. If my thoughts, mood or stress levels are not serving me, I simply head out for a walk or run or find a beautiful tree to sit under and breathe.

• Practice gratitude. Take time daily to think about what you are grateful for. Practicing gratitude can transform a state of consciousness that is not serving you.