4 Secrets to Holistic Skin Care
The Keys to Holistic Skin Care
By Kathryn Remati
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” -Plato.
Meditation is good for you. But did you know how good it is for your skin? Meditation is a practical way for the entire self – mind, body, and spirit – to achieve health, and this includes skin care. A little-known side effect is the acceleration of the healing process of skin cells. Many beginning meditators have noticed remarkable changes for the better in the quality of their facial skin.
Naturally, wrinkles are lessened, due to the relaxation of facial muscles, but the noticeable rapid healing of blemishes and burns is also a regular occurrence. There is an extensive amount of research documenting the body’s ability to self-repair. Dr. Lissa Rankin states in her comprehensively researched book Mind Over Medicine, “…the body is a self-healing organism, constantly striving to return to homeostasis.” Applying a few mental training techniques while in a state of deep meditation supports that system and gives it the right environment in which to work.
This technique of holistic skin care was developed in Australia, the inauspicious number one country ranking for skin cancer in the world. Two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. Prevention is key to minimalize sun damage, even in non-extreme environments. Wherever you live, it is possible to achieve a healthy glow from the inside out with meditation. This four-step process combines the power of a meditation practice with other techniques that link the mind to the body in a powerful way.
The 4 Secrets to Holistic Skin Care
Holistic Skin Care Secret #1 – Relax and Meditate
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
An experienced meditator can quickly enter what is known as an altered or “flow” state of calm and energized alertness. For beginners, start by closing your eyes, taking a deep breath and repeating the word “Relax.” Move your awareness down through the different parts of your body. A guided meditation with body scan is a great tool. The voice will lead you to calm your emotions and still your thoughts. That is total relaxation. It is like the shivasanya at the end of your yoga class, only longer. Deep and fully aware relaxation is key for optimal results.
Holistic Skin Care Secret #2 – Imagine
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” -Albert Einstein
“As the mind conceives, the body must achieve” is one of the laws of the mind. The body can’t tell the difference between an image in the mind and what we call reality. Test this yourself, and imagine biting into a lemon without salivating. Mind/body pioneers Belleruth Naparstek and Shakti Gawain accept this as a simple, profound fact. They recommend deliberately adding healthful images to “the gullible body.” Introducing positive images while in this deeply relaxed state can be extremely effective. Using your mind’s eye, see the problem once, fix it and then only see the positive outcome any time you think about it. You want to move past the problem, only reinforcing a perfect end result.
The way the cells work in the body is magical. We have 80 million white blood cells produced per minute as our first line of defense from a burn or injury. Focusing on these “soldier” cells can be effective on that cellular level. Showering skin cells in white light, or mentally applying a “special” lotion, would focus your repair response. Be creative. Mentally experience your new, fabulous self and skin in a multi-sensory way, engaging all 5 inner senses. Your imagination will come up with a visual remedy that suits you best.
Holistic Skin Care Secret #3 – Listen to Your Intuition
“I believe in intuition and inspiration. I sometimes FEEL that I am right. I do not KNOW that I am.” -Albert Einstein
You may have a repair and healing plan ready before you start, but once in a meditative state, you may find that a feeling prompts you to imagine another way of achieving the healthy result. Go with what feels right. Don’t let your critical, skeptical ego get in the way. Go with the flow and listen to that wise, inner voice. After regular practice of these techniques, you will also experience being drawn towards different choices in the outer world. Dr. Wayne Dwyer explains that once an intention is set with the universal mind, “it will germinate into reality in the physical world.” Suddenly new options, in many forms, will show up in your life. You may be drawn towards a new skin care line or vitamin, or hear of a doctor who specializes in your area of concern. You could suddenly start drinking more water and crave healthy fresh juices instead of coffee.
Holistic Skin Care Secret #4 – Use Affirmations
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.” -Albert Einstein
Every thought we think is creating our future. A thought can be changed for the good, and life will follow that thought to flow towards a positive experience. As we have established that our subconscious mind accepts whatever we choose to believe, then using an affirmation as a tool to change from the inside out just makes sense. An affirmation is a positive statement of what we want in our lives. Best selling author and number one world authority on affirmations, Louise Hay, believes, “Always use the present tense such as I am or I have, since the subconscious mind is such an obedient servant. To say I will or I want will keep it just out of reach.” I also add the sentence, for the highest good, to remain open to whatever the universe provides.
Consider the following examples:
~”I have smooth, soft, youthful, radiant skin.”
~”I have glowing, moist skin.”
~”My skin reflects my inner peace.”
~”I have clear, healthy skin.”
You get the idea. Just four things to remember when it comes to Holistic Skin Care: Relax, Imagine, Listen and Affirm. Then let go and let nature takes its course.
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About the Author
Creator of the ‘Tranquil Spectrum’ app, Kathryn has been meditating since age 16. She did graduate and post graduate training in Humanistic Psychology and Organizational Behavior in Australia where she studied Alpha brainwave training techniques. She is presently writing a meditation memoir and running a guided meditation workshop for Qniversity in Lawrence, MA.
