I see this life as a healing journey. Here are 21 ideas that have helped me a lot on my own path. We are all a work in progress… when dark clouds seem to obscure the sun, these ideas can help to get the energy flowing again as the winds of change start to blow. Be like a big, old willow tree in the wind – bend, don’t break.

1 Have Healthy Relationships.

This is the single most important factor in life. Healthy relationships nurture growth, toxic relationships do not. Let go of what or who no longer serves you, and cultivate loving relationships with good people. Limit time with toxic people or remove them from your life completely. Be a good friend, and balance giving with receiving. Step out and join a new group to meet new people, or even start your own group. Meetup groups are worldwide, and are a great way to meet likeminded people. Get the free Meetup app, and see what is on offer. Notice how you feel after spending time with someone. Good connections are honest, uplifting and inspiring. Commit to nurturing the good relationships you have, and be open to connecting with new people. Studies have shown that the most important factor in increasing longevity is having a strong community around you; if it can’t be family (for whatever reason) make it a ‘family of friends’.

2 Look At Your Diet.

Diet really is a key factor in creating wellbeing. The mediterranean diet works better than antidepressants for treating depression, in clinical trials. Preparing and eating healthy food, especially with friends, is one of the most rewarding things we can do in this life. I try to include plenty of fresh herbs in my meals, and eat mainly whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, with a little chicken and fish – and red meat only twice a week. Eat food in as close to its natural state as you can. Cook something new! Try recipes from different cultures. Start you day with some water with lemon juice, and a fresh smoothie with fruit and almond milk. Nourish yourself and others with wholesome food.

3 Move Your Body.

Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins and makes us feel good. Walking is a wonderful, gentle way to move our bodies, clear our mind, and to get some sunshine on our skin by spending some time outside. Walking in nature is very healing; be mindful as you walk, or listen to motivational music. Find exercise that you enjoy and do it every day.

4 Remove Toxins.

Use natural products where you can. Reduce and eliminate the use of harsh chemicals in your home, in your food, in your personal care products and cleaning products. Remove alcohol, caffeine, and sugar from your diet. Quit smoking. The more chemical-free you are, the more your body is able to cleanse and heal itself.

5 Rest.

Are you feeling tired? Allow yourself to rest. Have an early night after a warm bath or shower. Schedule rest time as if it was an activity. Make rest a priority.

6 Meditate.

Take some time every day to meditate. Ten minutes first thing in the morning is beneficial. Get the Insight Timer app (it’s free) and listen to whatever style of meditation you are drawn to. Reiki meditations are particularly useful. Or sit quietly, and watch your breath, asking “What do I need to know?” And then listen. Watch your breath flow in and out, and let your thoughts float by without attachment like clouds in a clear blue sky.

7 Take A Bath.

Make it a beautiful ritual – light candles, burn incense, place crystals around the tub, use essential oil (lavender is good) in the water, add some pink Himalayan salt which is full of minerals, and let the warm water cleanse and soothe. Release your worries as you soak and visualise any stress flowing down the drain as you empty the water when you are finished. A shower can be a ritual too, if you don’t have a bath. I do a ritual bath every single night.

8 Essential Oils.

Invest in some essential oils and learn how to use them. Put them in the bath, in an oil burner or diffuser, or make a massage oil with a carrier oil like jojoba. I buy from http://www.prooils.com, their 50ml bottles of pure essential oils are very reasonably priced. I use Rose Oil in 3% jojoba as a simple moisturiser, the scent is divine and seems to banish the blues. I am burning some Fir Needle essential oil in my burner, and just used some Clary Sage in the bath to clear my aura. Aroma speaks to a very primal part of our brain and does influence mood.

9 Fresh Juice And Herbal Tea.

Think about what you drink. Give up alcohol and invest in a juicer instead. Make fresh juice every day; it’s full of nutrients and helps to energise our bodies. I love kale, cucumber, green apple, celery, carrot lemon and ginger juice. In hot weather, try watermelon, green apple, cucumber and mint juice. The possibilities are endless. There is a documentary on juicing on you tube called “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” by Joe Cross that is very inspiring. Herbal tea is also wonderful, and it is fun to learn what tea helps with what issue. Buy organic when you can – Nerada Organics peppermint tea is about $4 from the supermarket. I sometimes use a coffee plunger to brew herbal tea from dried herbs I get from the health food shop or online, 2 tablespoons of dried herbs makes a large plunger full of tea. Let it step for 2 minutes before you pour it. I grow my own mint and dry it to make simple tea, peppermint and spearmint work well.

10 Clear Your Space.

Clean your home. Get rid of anything that is broken or that you no longer want or need. Sell anything you don’t want that is in good condition, in Australia we use http://www.gumtree.com. Wash the floors. Perhaps even give the walls a fresh coat of paint in a beautiful colour or in fresh white. Dejunk your wardrobe. Clear under your bed and scatter dried rose petals under there to attract new love. Buy some fresh new towels and bedding. Clean out your fridge and fill it with fresh produce, clean out your pantry cupboards and restock them. Organise your stuff! Simplify your space, keep only what you use and love. If you don’t know where to start – empty the bin. Wash the dishes, wash some clothes. Read up on feng shui principles to create a good flow of chi throughout your home. Clean out one drawer to make a start. Put some fresh flowers in your living room and light some candles, even little tea light candles have an uplifting effect but make sure candles are safe in holders.

11 The Meaning Of Life.

Think seriously about what really has meaning for you. Journal your thoughts and think about what you can do to move forward in your life. Do you need to change your employment? Start a new course of study to open doors for your future? Do you need to move house? Think deeply about how you can use your gifts, talents and abilities to create a better life for yourself and to bring more light to the world. Are there any burdens you have that are really not yours to carry? Read some philosophy. Allow yourself to dig below the surface and start to make some plans. Joseph Campbell’s book “The Hero With A Thousand Faces” is well worth reading to understand the concept of ‘the hero’s journey’. Be the hero(ine) of your own life and answer the call to adventure. It is never too late to begin.

12 Understanding Karma.

The universal law of cause and effect holds true for us all. Learn about how karma works and put in good causes for the future.

13 Clear Space With Smoke.

Cleanse your space with a sage smudge stick, or burn some Palo Santo, or burn some frankincense resin on a charcoal disc in a heat-proof bowl or cauldron. I sit my smudge stick in a base of rice so it sits upright to burn down; once the space is filled with smoke I open the doors and windows and let the smoke disperse. This is especially beneficial after a time of illness or after an argument.

14 Let It Go.

Release your past, let go of old pain, hurt and resentment. Journal it out and then burn the journal. Seek out a good psychologist if you are stuck.

15 Read Tarot Cards.

The tarot teaches a whole philosophy of life; it is a system of positive psychology. Allow the tarot to shed light on any issues you may be having, meditate on a card for guidance, or get a professional reading if you need to make some important decisions. My favourite book on the Rider Waite Smith deck is “Tarot Masterclass” by Australian psychic, Paul Fenton Smith.

16 Commune With Nature.

Walk or sit in a natural environment. Sit under a tree, with your back against the trunk. Put your bare feet on the Earth. Wade or swim in the ocean, a river or a lake. Spend time in a forest.

17 See A Healer.

Have a session with a shaman, a professional witch, a reiki practitioner, a masseuse, a psychologist, a tarot reader, an astrologer, a life coach, or whatever type of healer you feel called to. This is very useful if you feel stuck or blocked, and can start you on your healing journey if you don’t know where to begin.

18 Balance Your Chakras.

Use a guided meditation to balance and align your chakras. Read widely on the subject, think about which issues you may have and which chakra they relate to and how working with the energy of each chakra may help.

19 Study A Subject You Love.

Read. Open your mind to new information. Learn about something that has always interested you. Enrol in a degree at university, or in a TAFE course.

20 Practise Gratitude.

Start and end each day with a prayer of gratitude for all you have and are, and all you will become. Start a gratitude journal and write ten things you are grateful for and why in it every morning.

21 Plant Something.

Get your hands into the soil. Plant some herbs, fruit trees and vegetables in your garden. Plant up some pot plants and put them on a sunny windowsill inside where they will get some light. Take some cuttings and pot them up or sow some seeds if its warm.