Does the idea of public speaking tie your stomach up in knots? Do sweet words from loved ones leave you with a lump in your throat? Have you ever worried yourself sick? If so, then you’ve experienced the power of the mind-body connection. Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, the relationship between our thoughts, our emotions, and our physical state is a constant and crucial factor in our overall wellbeing. Ancient healing systems have long honored the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit; and in the past several decades, the modern scientific community has followed suit, providing evidence-based research confirming the benefits of an integrative approach to health. If you suffer from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and more, holistic treatment may help you find relief and recovery.
Why Choose Holistic Treatment for Mental Health?
Trauma can manifest as chronic illness, depression can deplete the spirit, and anxiety can push relationships to their breaking point. These mental health conditions affect every aspect of life, so truly effective treatment must comprehensively address those same aspects. Too often, patients experience treatment as a series of symptoms, rather than a whole individual. This can lead to misdiagnoses, unsustainable results, and a great deal of frustration. Treatment centers that take a holistic approach recognize mental health conditions as biological, physiological, and spiritual conditions. Unfortunately, those who lack this approach simply view them as a brain-based disease. This comprehensive approach supports lasting wellness and promotes self-care.
Which Holistic Services Are Most Beneficial?
Each individual’s struggles and hopes are unique. A great holistic practitioner will be interested in hearing your personal story before determining whether their services will help you meet your wellness goals.
Common holistic services include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Fitness
- Nutrition
- Yoga
- Mindfulness meditation
All of these services play different, but important roles in recovery. Acupuncture and massage offer relaxation, pain reduction, mood improvement, and enhancement of the body’s innate healing abilities. Fitness and nutrition sessions are extremely individualized, and give patients the opportunity to practice prevention, develop healthy lifestyle habits, and workshop specific concerns surrounding energy, immunity, sleep, mood and more. Yoga and meditation help to cultivate awareness of the mind and body, and provide tools to more effectively manage stress. These holistic services can be powerful individually, more so in combination, and even more so when the practitioners work together to coordinate your care.
Holistic Vs. Western Medicine
For many, the word holistic brings to mind images of yoga mats and herbal remedies only, but in its truest sense, holistic simply means taking the whole system into account. Western medicine and holistic medicine are often incorrectly depicted as opposing viewpoints. However, a combination of the two typically yields quicker and more thorough recovery. A broken leg, for instance, merits a visit to the doctor for an X-ray and cast. But eating nourishing food, receiving acupuncture, and practicing meditation may help to manage pain, reduce stress, and speed the healing process. The same can be true of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or any mental health condition. Medication (prescribed thoughtfully and only as necessary), psychotherapy, and holistic treatments can complement and balance one another to help you achieve authentic wellness.
Holistic Treatment for Mental Health at True Life Center
True Life Center is an integrative mental health and addiction treatment center located in La Jolla’s UTC Area. We offer outpatient psychiatry, psychotherapy, and an Intensive Outpatient Program that seamlessly integrates evidence-based medicine with holistic services. If you have any questions about our approach, or feel that holistic treatment may benefit you or a loved one, please contact us. Call today at 866.420.1792 to speak with a team member as well.
