Why Acceptance is Key to Healing

If you’re dealing with chronic symptoms or anxiety, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Just accept it.” I know how frustrating that can be – it used to drive me crazy. It sounded like giving up or just putting up with feeling terrible forever. But here’s the thing: acceptance isn’t about giving up. It’s about letting go of resistance, and that’s what makes all the difference.

When I was struggling with vestibular migraines and anxiety, I spent all my energy fighting the symptoms. I was constantly tense, desperately trying to get rid of the dizziness and fear. But the more I resisted, the worse it got. I was trapped in a cycle of fear and frustration, and it felt like I’d never break free.

Then, I stumbled upon the idea of acceptance – not in the sense of giving up, but in acknowledging the symptoms without fighting them. It was a hard pill to swallow at first. But once I started practising acceptance, things began to change. Here’s why acceptance is so powerful and how it can help you too.

The Science Behind Acceptance and Symptom Severity

There’s actually a lot of science behind why acceptance works. When we resist or fear a symptom, our brain sees it as a threat. This triggers the fight-or-flight response, flooding our body with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones amplify the symptoms, making them feel even more intense.

It’s a vicious cycle:

• A symptom appears (like dizziness or nausea).

• You panic or resist it.

• Your brain thinks you’re in danger, triggering the fight-or-flight response.

• This intensifies the symptom, causing more fear and resistance.

But when you acknowledge the symptom without reacting to it and observe it without fear, you’re teaching your brain that it’s not dangerous. This calms the fight-or-flight response, reducing the intensity of the symptoms over time.

This isn’t just a theory – it’s based on how the brain learns and adapts. In psychology, this process is known as exposure therapy or response prevention. By facing what we fear without reacting to it, our brain learns it’s safe, and the fear response gradually decreases. That’s why acceptance is so effective.

My Journey to Acceptance

I’ll be honest – I didn’t get this right away. When I first heard about acceptance, I thought, “How am I supposed to accept something that feels so horrible?” But I was tired of fighting. I was exhausted from resisting my symptoms day in and day out. So, I decided to give it a try.

One day, when I felt the familiar dizziness creeping in, instead of panicking or trying to push it away, I sat down, closed my eyes, and just observed it. I noticed the spinning sensation, its movement, its intensity. I didn’t try to stop it or control it – I just watched it with curiosity, almost like a scientist observing an experiment.

At first, my mind raced with panic. But I kept reminding myself that the dizziness, although uncomfortable, wasn’t dangerous. I breathed through it, letting the sensation be there without fighting it. And you know what? It started to ease. Not because I forced it to, but because I wasn’t fuelling it with fear.

That was the moment I realised the power of acceptance. The symptoms didn’t disappear overnight, but I was no longer trapped in that exhausting cycle of fear and resistance. I started to accept the symptoms when they came, knowing they’d pass, and over time, they lost their grip on me.

How to Practise Acceptance

If you’re ready to try acceptance for yourself, here’s how to get started:

1. Acknowledge the Sensation: Notice the symptom without labelling it as good or bad. Just observe it as a sensation in your body.

2. Name It: Sometimes, naming the sensation helps to reduce fear. You might say to yourself, ‘I feel dizziness’ or ‘This is anxiety.’ This helps separate you from the sensation.

3. Observe Without Judgment: Notice the sensation’s shape, movement, or intensity without trying to change it. Is it sharp, dull, moving, or still? Observe it with curiosity, like watching a cloud in the sky.

4. Breathe Through It: Take slow, deep breaths. Imagine breathing into the sensation and releasing any tension.

5. Carry On: Acceptance isn’t about waiting for the symptoms to go away. It’s about allowing it to be there while you continue your day. It’s okay if it’s uncomfortable – the goal is to respond with curiosity instead of fear.

   
   

This isn’t easy, and it takes practice. Some days are more complex than others, but that’s okay. Healing isn’t a straight line, and setbacks are part of the process. Every time you practise acceptance, you’re teaching your brain that it’s safe, and little by little, the symptoms lose their power over you.

Acceptance Isn’t Giving Up – It’s Letting Go of Resistance

One of the biggest misconceptions about acceptance is that it means giving up or resigning yourself to a life of symptoms. But it’s the exact opposite. By letting go of resistance, you’re freeing yourself from the cycle of fear and anxiety. You’re teaching your brain that it doesn’t need to protect you from the symptoms because they’re not dangerous.

This doesn’t mean you’ll never have symptoms again – we’re human, and life is stressful. But acceptance changes your relationship with the symptoms. They’re no longer something to be feared or resisted. They’re just sensations – uncomfortable, yes, but not dangerous.

I still have days when symptoms show up, but I no longer spiral into panic. I acknowledge them, observe them, and carry on with my day. They pass on their own. That’s the power of acceptance.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re struggling with chronic symptoms or anxiety, I want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to be scared, and it’s OK to take this one step at a time. Acceptance isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. Every little step forward counts, even on the hard days.

If you’re looking for more support, I offer 1:1 coaching services and bundles to help you break free from the cycle of fear and hyperawareness. Book a free consultation today!

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If you found this helpful or want to share your journey, comment below – I’d love to hear from you.