In a recent blog post, I introduced you to some of my favorite detoxification techniques for the body.

I also pay careful attention to emotional detox. Over the years I have come to terms with anxiety and worry and generally unhealthy feelings. Rather than this being an academic interest, my coming to terms is because I was a born “worry wart,” to use my mother’s phrase, and it took some undoing to overcome this pattern of being.

While my path to freedom took many twists and turns, in the end three approaches worked for me:

• One was classical homeopathy, as prescribed by an expert classical homeopath — the doctor found the correct remedy and the anxiety was gone.

• Another is a series of Korean Qi Gong breathing and movement exercises which, after three days of one hour sessions each, always bring me a feeling of well-being for no reason. (By the way, I have learned that a feeling of well-being for no good reason is the soundest and most blessed of all feelings of well-being).

• The third technique concerns the recognition that “What we put our attention on grows stronger in our life.” Intellectually I know that if I put attention on what I don’t want (worry); I will attract more of it. My antidote is to make a clear list of what I do want, carry that list around, and give attention to those things, while setting aside — that is releasing — worries and concerns I do not want to amplify.

In addition, I practice techniques to quiet my turbulent mind:

The mind is like a monkey that jumps from branch to branch — all wisdom-driven cultures hold quieting the mind as a pathway to internal peace. My mind is as much a monkey as the best of them, so I have come to incorporate many practices for purifying and calming the mind. Here are a few:

• Meditation: I sit quietly, releasing thoughts and resistance for 15-20 minutes twice a day.

• Breathing exercises: When stressed or worried, I try to remember to stop, sit back, and take a few deeps breaths. I have come to realize the mind can’t do two things at once, so if I am paying attention to my breathing, I cannot worry at the same time.

• Being out in nature: Spending a bit of quiet time out in nature really helps to slow down and calm my mind. I try to do this daily — even if for only 10 minutes. I move my attention to the colors, forms, and beauty around me, and, when I remember, I make a silent list of gratitudes.

Finally, I do believe in the attention to spirit for both detox and quieting of the mind. We are spiritual beings with an occasional human existence, and frequently I deliberately detox worry, fear, and sadness with uplifting thoughts from the wisdom of the ages and from current teachers of Spirit. There are so many to choose from. I am sure you have your favorites — go back to them often.

We created the Osteo Blast blog as our forum to express opinions and educate the public about natural means of supporting and improving bone health and overall wellness. As part of this forum, we sometimes discuss medical issues and medications, and their effects on bone health in general. However, we cannot advise readers about specific medical issues in this forum. If you wish to obtain advice from Susan E. Brown, PhD, about your specific bone health and nutritional concerns, please visit our Consultations page. Other specific medical questions should be referred to your healthcare provider.