How To Holistically Heal...With Curiosity

A New Way To Engage With Your Symptoms

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In this edition…

I updated the blog written in October 2024.

1. Healing: A New Way To Engage With Your Symptoms

2. Reverence: Curiosity - Pause & Peer In

3. Exploring: Ten Practical Steps to Embrace & Engage with Your Symptoms

1. Healing: A New Way To Engage With Your Symptoms

In my years as a naturopath, I've observed how patients often approach their symptoms with set attitudes, a particular tone that may, in some ways, hinder their path to healing. I’ve sat across from individuals who present their symptoms with minimal detail, almost as though they hope by under-emphasising, they might diminish their significance. Others, however, arrive with intricate narratives, describing each symptom meticulously, and yet somehow, the tone becomes detached, as though the story they tell isn’t fully their own, leaving them both consumed by and distanced from it all. Then, there are those who approach their symptoms with an air of resistance, perhaps anger or frustration, as if their bodies have betrayed them in some way.

Yet, while all of these perspectives are valid expressions of the complex experience of living with symptoms, they may not be fully conducive to healing. When we approach symptoms with curiosity instead of avoidance, frustration, or detachment, we open ourselves to discovering what our bodies might be signalling.

In this exploration, I’ll guide you through the many forms symptoms take—whether acute, chronic, psychosomatic, or differential—and offer insights into why curiosity might be the key that turns our symptoms from foes into allies. In this way, symptoms become less of a burden and more of a guide, illuminating pathways to healing that may have previously remained hidden.

Let’s delve deeper into what symptoms really are, the different types we encounter, and how shifting our perspective can reveal a new way of understanding—and ultimately, healing—our minds and bodies.

This Wednesday at 6:30 PM, I’ll be hosting our next Live Webinar on this exciting topic! This exclusive session is for members only of Staying Healthy Together Club, but membership is open to all. Don’t miss out—discover more below!

Members are invited to reflect, ask questions, and share insights and journalling inspired by the session. Each month introduces a distinctive theme, offering a well-structured and holistic approach to nurturing the mind, body, spirit, and soul throughout the year. These themes are an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage in self-inquiry—deepening your understanding of how each topic resonates with your personal healing journey. You’ll be encouraged to explore your relationship with each theme and gently assess: Have I integrated this into my life? Is there space for more awareness, healing, or transformation here? This membership is more than content—it is a guided, evolving experience. A rhythm of reconnection. A commitment to yourself, supported by a community that walks alongside you.

Symptoms

A symptom refers to a physical or psychological manifestation arising from an underlying condition. For example, hives can be a symptom of a food allergy, an insect bite or an autoimmune condition. Different people can display different symptoms of the same dis-ease influenced by factors such as age, gender, genetic predisposition and overall health status.

Subjective symptoms are reported by the patient and can’t really be measured, like pain or fatigue, while objective symptoms are those that can be observed and measured, like a fever or blood pressure.

Symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific condition and may include pain, fatigue, fever, cough, dizziness, anxiety, depression, or other abnormal sensations or behaviours. Some symptoms serve as warning signs of serious conditions, such as chest pain indicating a heart attack.

The word "symptoms" originates from the Greek word "symptoma," meaning a sign or indication. The prefix "sym-" denotes unity or being together, suggesting that various signs and indications in a person's body or mind are interconnected and occur simultaneously. This emphasises the collective nature of symptoms, highlighting their relationship to a larger health condition or underlying cause. The suffix "-ptom" comes from the Greek "piptein," meaning "to fall," speaking to the fact that symptoms are like pieces that "fall" into place to create a recognisable pattern of a particular condition or disease.

Acute Symptoms

Acute symptoms are the body's urgent signals, often appearing suddenly and with intensity. These are usually short-lived but can range from mild discomfort to alarming distress, marking the onset of a health issue or a flare-up of a chronic condition. Recognising these symptoms allows us to act promptly and in alignment with our health needs. Familiarity with common acute symptoms can be a powerful asset, guiding us in making timely decisions.

Examples of Mild Acute Symptoms:

• Low-grade fever

• Respiratory congestion or sore throat

• Muscle stiffness or headaches

• Gastrointestinal discomfort

• Skin irritation or mild allergic reactions

Examples of Severe Acute Symptoms:

• High fever or intense pain

• Difficulty breathing or chest pain

• Loss of consciousness, numbness, or slurred speech

• Signs of stroke or heart attack

• Confusion or altered mental state

These symptoms are the body's “loud cries”—urgent requests for attention. In the face of severe symptoms, prompt medical evaluation is essential, reminding us to listen, respond, and prioritise our well-being.

Chronic Symptoms

Chronic symptoms, in contrast to acute ones, persist over extended periods, often subtly shaping one’s daily life and well-being. Unlike the urgent cries of acute symptoms, chronic symptoms become a constant hum, indicating ongoing health challenges that demand long-term management and care. While they may not always appear urgent, their lingering presence can erode energy, optimism, and quality of life, requiring thoughtful attention and holistic strategies.