Today was going to be the day! The day I publish my first blog and announce to the world my intentions of regularly blogging and sending newsletters about homeopathy and nutrition and being an awe-inspiring Neal’s Yard consultant. But instead, I keep flitting back and forward between doing the washing and checking Facebook. Why? Because I feel very uncomfortable about putting myself ‘out there’. Because it is so far removed from where I feel safe.
This got me thinking about comfort zones because at the end of the day that is what this is about. Moving outside what I know to be safe and comfortable.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
So what is a comfort zone, why do we have them and why do we cling so tightly to them and what on earth have they got to do with homeopathy?
Simply, your comfort zone is that space where your activities and behaviours fit a routine or pattern whereby stress and risk are minimalised. We cling to our comfort zone because it provides mental security, regular happiness, low anxiety and reduced stress.
Psychologists Yerks and Dodson first introduced the idea of the comfort zone in 1908, explaining that a state of relative comfort created a steady level of performance. However, in order to maximise performance, we need to move outside of that comfort zone into a space where our stress levels are slightly higher than normal, into a state of ‘optimal anxiety’. That is, we have to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone in order to grow and develop or to change our current situation.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
Comfort zones are different for every individual. I like to challenge myself physically. Last year I went paragliding, downhill mountain biking and learnt to windsurf and I was cool with all of that. This year I am starting a business, trying to be more visible on social media and writing a blog – all of which makes me feel physically sick. Yet here I am in my state of ‘optimal anxiety’ slowing achieving those things.
And this is where homeopathy can help. One of the things a homeopath will ask you about is your fears and they will try to understand what’s behind that fear. For example, if you are afraid of flying, is it that you are afraid of dying, or have a fear of confined spaces or being out of control? Is it an anticipatory fear whereby you are imagining things that could go wrong for weeks in advance, or is it fear that brings on diarrhoea? This understanding helps to give a complete picture of who you are, thereby allowing us to identify the correct remedy to help you overcome whatever it is holding you back.
But for me, the real magic of homeopathy is at a follow-up appointment, regardless of the original health complaint, where you hear about all the little changes your client has made to their life. The little changes that clients don’t necessarily attribute to the healing properties of homeopathy. It might be that they have started the gym, changed their diet or had that difficult conversation – all of which have pushed them out of their comfort zone without them even knowing. I love pointing out the positive changes to clients and seeing their faces literally light up with the realisation of what they have achieved. And acknowledging what they are capable of achieving.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
So what is the point of all of this? Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone allows us to better ourselves, to deal with new challenges with ease, to be more resilient and creative, to develop and to be the best version of ourselves. Homeopathy can help you to make that journey. Homeopathy has helped me to get to this point here today! And homeopathy keeps me moving forward when I feel stuck, unsure or even incapable. I couldn’t be without it.
If you have been thinking about making changes, but are feeling unsure about that first step why not arrange a free chat to see if homeopathy is right for you?
