Beyond the Physical Detox
I’ve been thinking about a blog theme for this fall, there are so many health topics I can write about it; I had to really ask the Lord on this one. I want it to be meaningful not just another generic blog but what people need to here during this time. The theme that came to my spirit is: emotional toxicity.
Yes! There is such a thing as emotional toxicity, whether it is your own thoughts or your surroundings, including the people you choose to hang-out; because we all have a free will to choose and so there is no better time than this season to discuss emotional toxicity. My hope is that this blog captures how emotional toxicity impacts dis-ease to the physical, spiritual, and soul so we can achieve, as I call it the “trifecta of healing”.
Yes, the body, mind and soul are connected, you cannot separate them, nor should you try, if so, it will sneak up on you and cause delay to your breakthroughs.
Often when we begin detoxing (body), our emotions come right along but do not shove it under the rug; I discourage it, instead deal with it as it comes, you can handle it or else it wouldn’t have come up. We’ve heard the saying “you are what you eat”, in this case “you are what you emotionally absorb or hold onto”, there is not much difference.
Therefore, this is your body’s way of saying something deeper needs your attention, it wants to heal and it’s time mend what is broken and REVIVE the trifecta.
“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
So, what is Emotional Toxicity?
Emotional toxicity is negative emotions or thought patterns that can become a vicious cycle of stress and sickness, it is also unhealed wounds from the past or present, repressed emotions, or mental clutter that quietly poison the body from within. So how vicious is this cycle? Well, it’s vicious in the sense that it becomes a silent or invisible burden in our life that we don’t even know or feel we are doing it.
Perhaps, we may see physical symptoms manifest like changes to our hormones, gut health, and immune system but our everyday negative reactions or emotions is hard to see.
Some of us may not realize we do it, I know I’m speak for myself, when I wake up in the morning and start in a negative thinking pattern – it’s cloudy, it’s cold, no sun, I wish….I….I…..and it takes a mental shaking to snap out of the rhythms of negative thoughts. We tend to be creatures of habit and it’s not just in the physical things we do but our thoughts mimic how we act and what we say to ourselves and others.
Let’s look for example: fear.
Fear can be demonstrated through physical, emotional or spiritual signs, here are some ways it can show up:
Physical Signs of Fear:
- Tight chest or shallow breathing
- Muscle tension
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue or adrenal burnout
- Sleep issues or insomnia
- Hormonal imbalances (prolonged cortisol elevation)
Emotional / Mental signs
- Constant worry
- Overthinking and difficulty making decisions
- Feeling paralyzed, stuck, or unable to move forward
- Avoidance of change or new opportunity
- Perfectionism! Yes, you read it right!
Spiritual Effects
- Difficulty trusting God’s timing
- Feeling unsafe even when nothing is wrong
- Over-controlling behaviors to “feel secure”
- Disconnect from peace, surrender or faith
Interesting, huh? I’m reminded of this biblical verse: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7
I hope you are also reminded by this verse, for our beautiful Creator, has given us power, love, and a sound mind to conquer. Instead of waking up with negative thinking, declare: For God has not given me a spirit of fear! I speak love to myself and others, I have the power through God to conquer all that I do today and I have a sound mind of peace!
This is just one example, I will mention again that there are other sources of emotional toxicity such as: unforgiveness, people-pleasing, negative self-talk and toxic environments.
Being around criticism, especially if you are starting an emotional detox journey should be a top priority for you and what you allow in your life. This negative emotional energy should be rejected and whether you decide to take a short break from friends or family members, so you can get a better grasp – is up to you or you may simply be straight-forward and honest and let them know what you are doing; they may surprise you and join in!
How to Detox Emotionally: Steps Toward Healing
- Acknowledge and Feel: You cannot heal what you are not willing to face. When an emotion comes, ask yourself? is it positive or negative.
Personally, negative emotions are the enemy’s attempt to shake you off your progress. If you are having these emotions, be aware, realize it is the enemy, rebuke the attempt and get to the root cause of what caused the emotion. What were you doing? What triggered the emotion? It is important to identify before your mind gets carried away.
Now this doesn’t mean it will be perfect the first tries, so be patient with yourself, declare 2 Timothy 1:7 when this occurs, be consistent and steady until it just becomes second nature and then finally, you wake up every morning with a knowing that God is on your side. Remember that steady wins the race!
- Surrender and Forgive:Forgiveness releases spiritual and emotional toxins. It’s not about approving someone’s action – it’s about freeing your own hear to heal.
There is nothing more healing than surrendering everything to God, and I mean everything! This is a hard concept at first because we are accustomed to deciding for ourselves, however building a relationship with God is one of the best things you can do for yourself; we start to know His voice and listen, obey, surrender, and forgive. And when it comes to forgiveness, do it quickly, do not allow unforgiveness to stay in your heart and mind, keep saying “I forgive” whether you feel it or not, but your words have power – life or death and so you want to speak life (“I choose to forgive”) and then suddenly, those words not only free you, but you will start to feel and mean it, there is a freedom that comes when you forgive. Just try it!
Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes. Romans 6:13
- Renew Your Mind through Prayer and Connection: God designed us for connection. Prayer, journaling, replacing toxic thought loops with affirmations grounded in truth and Scripture. Practice gratitude daily – it rewires the brain toward peace and contentment.
There are many ways to renew your mind, one thing is reading the Word of God, there are blessings and revelation that comes with reading the bible. Another is speaking life and positive words over your life and loved ones, also breathing deep and slowly releasing your breath helps the brain get more oxygen. And bring a notebook with you wherever you go, sometimes ideas and inspiration come in the most random ways, which can be the Holy Spirit guiding you in innovative ways, so get a notebook and write it down! Habakkuk 2:2- Write down the vision…..
- Support the Body
Emotional healing is supported by physical nourishment. Eat grounding foods, stay hydrated, get quality sleep, and take gentle walks outdoors. Herbal teas like chamomile or lemon balm can also calm the nervous system.
Our physical body thrives in healthy eating, by incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, etc, we receive daily doses of vitamins and minerals in our body. One way to do this is juicing in the morning, before taking your tea or coffee or food, it is good to juice and get those enzymes that will support the breakdown of foods as you eat throughout the day. Another daily routine is to stop eating after 6:00pm; this allows your intestines to breakdown the food and not sleep on a full stomach.
Lastly, detoxes focused on organ cleanses is also critical for our body to function properly. So learning to detox each organ and getting rid of toxins is a great start to healing the body. I recommend starting with gut cleansing; it is a major pathway of elimination.
CLOSING
For this fall and holiday season let it be the beginning of an emotional detox journey, to get rid of the baggage or layers that it is holding you down. Remove the emotional weight so the body weight can start shedding and be ready to release what doesn’t belong to you. Remember to start small, breathe, forgive, feel and release it to our Creator. If you give it to God, He removes what doesn’t belong to you and instead gives you healing.
Thank you.
Coach Rio
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