This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
When it comes to our well-being, it can be easy to focus entirely on one area while neglecting the others. For example, some people may be so consumed by their diet that they fail to recognize the importance of regular physical activity, getting enough sleep at night, and attending to their mental health by engaging in self-care.
Something similar can occur in therapy when every aspect of a client’s life and overall well-being isn’t addressed. This is what holistic therapy seeks to avoid, as it is concerned with improving a person’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellness.
Below, we’ll delve more into the history of holistic therapy and discuss the top four techniques used by therapists employing this approach.
What Is Holistic Therapy?
Holistic therapy, also commonly referred to as Eastern medicine, differs from modern or conventional therapy methods as it uses alternative forms of treatment to bring people healing and hope. This approach dates back thousands of years and focuses on the connection between the body, mind, and spirit to help people achieve overall wellness.
Top 5 Holistic Therapy Techniques
Practitioners of holistic therapy may utilize many different techniques to help their clients. Sometimes their clients may have specific areas of focus, like their mental health. However, holistic therapists ensure that every aspect of the individual is cared for because they recognize the link between a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The following are five common methods practitioners might use to treat their clients:
1. Yoga
Yoga is an ancient activity that helps people build strength, flexibility, and stamina through physical movement, breathwork, and meditation. When someone is practicing yoga, they take different poses and focus on relaxing their body and mind. Yoga is a powerful holistic therapy technique because it can have physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves staying in the present moment and observing one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. This practice promotes stress reduction, self-awareness, and positive self-esteem as it teaches people how to simply sit with themselves without making interpretations. Mindfulness can contribute to more effective emotional regulation and improvements in rational thinking patterns, allowing people to feel a greater sense of control over their lives.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting very small needles into targeted areas on the skin to promote healing. People often use acupuncture to treat pain, but it can also help with migraines, arthritis, sleeping problems like insomnia, and even allergies. Further, some people may benefit from using acupuncture if they’re experiencing a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression.
4. Breathwork
Breathwork is a technique that helps people focus on their breathing patterns to promote stress reduction and relaxation. The practice involves releasing negative energy and toxins when breathing out and nourishing the body and mind when breathing in. People who engage in breathwork often experience a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual effects. Different types of breathwork techniques include Shamanic breathwork, box breathing, deep abdominal breathing, rebirthing, and more.
5. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils from various types of plants to treat symptoms of physical and mental health conditions. These oils can either be inhaled or applied to different areas of the body. Different essential oils may be used to treat different problems. For example, lavender can promote better sleep, rosemary may increase concentration, and chamomile can reduce stress.
Practical Applications Of Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy can be utilized to address several different concerns including mental health disorders, chronic pain, and trauma. Many people have turned to holistic therapy for substance abuse, compulsive spending, and issues with gambling and pornography, as it is known to be effective in treating addiction.
Individuals experiencing tension in their bodies may find that certain holistic therapy techniques help them release that pressure and live more comfortably. Other issues that may be treated include insomnia, eating disorders, fatigue, as well as feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and grief. People may even visit a holistic therapist during an existential or mid-life crisis to bring spiritual and mental hope and healing.
Finding Healing With Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy is one of the most versatile approaches to well-being because of its ability to be tailored to each person’s specific concerns and needs.
For example, while one person may find healing from yoga, another might benefit more from aromatherapy. The power of holistic therapy lies in its ability to assist all kinds of people, regardless of the specific problems they’re facing.
Holistic therapists work to address the individual’s unique concerns while ensuring that other aspects of their well-being aren’t neglected. It is for this reason that those engaging in holistic therapy can find healing while enjoying an all-around higher quality of life.