Question
Do you have any stress relieving tips for dyshidrotic eczema?
I am on a strict Candida free diet, due to the assumption that my eczema on my palms is completely controllable by what I eat and my naturopathic doctor and I believe that I have a Candida overgrowth in my stomach.
I exercise everyday and do yoga twice a week.
I am a worrier and am currently worrying about a vacation with the in-laws that will not happen until next September.
The Candida free diet and anti-fungal has cleared the eczema completely, but ever since the stress of the in-laws visit last week and they are now planning another trip next September with the entire family, my palms are all bubbled up. I am stressed and worried to the point of tears, I can’t think about anything else, and I don’t think I can go on the vacation with my husband. Yoga did not help this morning as it gave me more alone time to worry. Any help you can give me would be great.
Answer
It must be so frustrating and stressful for you to have eczema on top of your current worries. But as you know, stress does exacerbate all kinds of health conditions (including eczema and even Candida). It makes sense that the body would feel stressed when the mind moves into future fearful scenarios – the body only understands the present moment so it feels uneasy with future. When worries crop up ask yourself, “Am I okay in this moment?” If the answer is “Yes,” then let go of the worries and refocus on enjoying this moment.
My suggestion to you is to practice deep breathing and being centred and grounded to begin with.
When you are in a centred and grounded space, you can manage your thoughts better. Focus on all the positive aspects of your in-laws and the future vacation – don’t dwell on the negative. it might be helpful to journal about what the worries are really about – get all of your fears and feelings out on paper. Then write down how you would like it to be and refocus on the positive aspects.
Remember that you can create your own reality, or at least stay in your own mood/attitude/energy set if you choose. Set your intention for how you would like the vacation to go. Get in touch with how you would like to feel during it (peaceful, amused, etc) and feel those feelings now (they are just energy vibrations which you can tune into anytime.
Then let it go. Surrender the vacation to your higher self, Universe or God of your heart. Trust that all will be well. From there on stay focused on the present moment. When your thoughts wander to the future vacation, have a good laugh at your mind’s tenacity and then re-focus on the present moment. Notice your breathing. Feel sensations in the body. Say hello to any tension or stress in your body and then open your heart and love those parts of you. Do a fun activity – watch a funny movie, play with children, dance to uplifting music, hang out with fun friends.
I used to be a worrier and found that stressful situations would crop up as a way to teach me to surrender my fears and learn to trust my higher, spiritual self. Now I am much more relaxed and know that on a soul level, I am being totally taken care of.
I wish you all the best in finding inner peace.
