The renowned yogi and spiritual leader B.K.S. Iyengar famously said, “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” This is particularly symbolic of the importance of holistic wellness when it comes to recovery. In fact, wellness therapy can be critical when it comes to healing at the molecular level.
What Exactly Is Wellness Therapy
Wellness therapy is a therapy that focuses on healing the entirety of the capital “S” Self. That means the “whole” person (holistic meaning whole). This focuses on healing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Wellness therapy for recovery is not a monolith either. It varies depending on the individual. It also varies depending on the signs and symptoms of the addiction and/or mental illness.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and/or Mental Illness
Now, it is important to understand that the signs and symptoms of addiction (and mental illness) are going to vary somewhat based on the situation and the individual. However, there are some more universal signs that can be looked out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Struggling with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- No longer caring about appearance or personal hygiene
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Not being able to stop drinking and using once started
- Loss of appetite
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness (depression)
- Committing self-harm or harming others
- Having suicidal ideations
Unfortunately, people often minimize the signs and symptoms of addiction and/or mental illness. However, as one can see, these symptoms can be extremely serious. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as signs appear is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. Again, this can be life and death. This professional help may also include wellness therapy.
The Holistic Nature of Wellness Therapy
Wellness therapy is specifically designed to help with the underlying issues that often accompany addiction and/or mental illness. Often, these underlying issues are associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
Wellness therapy is also meant to help one find a sense of “center” and balance. This can be particularly helpful when one feels triggered in recovery and may fall into a cycle of relapse. Modalities of wellness therapy like yoga can help to prevent these relapses from happening.
Wellness Therapy: Yoga
B.K.S. Iyengar also famously said, “You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind, and soul.” Connecting with the inner self is a critical part of yoga (especially yoga therapy).
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Initially, it was just for religious or spiritual purposes, but it has since moved into the realm of recovery.
Yoga therapy offers a myriad of benefits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Studies have suggested possible benefits of yoga for several aspects of wellness, including stress management, mental/emotional health, promoting healthy eating/activity habits, sleep, and balance.” Also, “In a 2021 review of 8 studies (1,889 participants), 7 studies showed evidence of beneficial effects in terms of reduced use of the substance or reduction in symptoms such as pain, stress, or anxiety.”
Wellness Therapy: Meditation
Meditation is also often a big component of wellness therapy. This is because mindfulness meditation can help one to clear their mind and calm their nerves.
The benefits of meditation can be vast and varied. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, “Researchers and clinicians have begun to explore mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for intervening in SUDs and relapse prevention. Mounting evidence supports the use of MBIs to address psychiatric disorders. Building on the first-generation MBIs’, newer MBIs like Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) use tailored mindfulness-based intervention strategies to reduce, stop, and prevent substance use.”
Wellness therapy also complements “traditional” therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This combination often works better than one or the other therapies on their own. The key is to find the right combination that works for the indivdual.
Long-Term Wellness With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term wellness over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our treatment programs are individualized and comprehensive. This includes the offering of wellness therapy.
It is important to remember that addiction and/or mental health recovery is about the journey, never the destination. That amazing journal can start right here at Lantana Recovery. A new freedom is out there. The key is to go out there and find it.
Wellness Therapy can be highly effective, yet it is not discussed as much as other options. Wellness therapy utilizes holistic healing methods to help individuals recover from issues of addiction and mental illness in the long term. It also works well in tandem with other modalities like psychotherapy and experiential therapy. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about wellness therapy and other effective modalities, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
