8 Uplifting Therapies that help with Depression
Depression is such a debilitating mental illness that can last for months, years and even a lifetime. The good news is that there are therapies that can help raise your mood, dispel the blues and improve your overall quality of life.
Along with psychotherapy and counselling, there are other therapies that can make dealing with depression easier. Here are some of them.
Journal Therapy
Writing down your emotions is one of the best ways to free yourself from pain and calm yourself down. It is an effective way to deal with many social, developmental, and psychological issues. People who journal find a higher sense of self-awareness and are able to reduce anxiety and gain a sense of empowerment. Unlike when talking about your problems, journaling allows a person the freedom of expression without fear of retaliation, frustration, or humiliation. By putting your emotions in a paper, you gain the ability to view them from a different perspective and gain insight into otherwise hidden facets of their behaviour and actions.
Music Therapy
Music has that powerful calming effect. A study by Stanford University years ago has found that music therapy may help improve the mood and boost self-esteem of people suffering from depression. Different kinds of music have different effects. Quick, upbeat music helps when you’re lacking in energy whilst slow and gentle music helps soothe your stress. Upbeat instrumental music helps clear your mind and sentimental music helps you express your negative emotions.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is pretty much similar to journaling. Here, you are able to freely express your emotions, but this time through drawing, painting or sketching. Plus, art therapy allows you to notice and appreciate the beauty of things around you – especially those that you tend to ignore every day. You don’t have to be as talented as Picasso to reap the benefits of art therapy. Just being able to express your emotions through arts can have greater benefits.
Visualisation Therapy
Visualisation is a mental technique that has been successfully used for many purposes, such as in healing and sports performance enhancement. Visualising positive things can improve your mood and lessen the intensity of the negative emotions you experience. Visualising peaceful and serene settings can help you relax, whilst past happy memories can cheer you up.
Nature Therapy
Talking a walk in the park, gardening, and visiting beautiful natural destinations benefit our mental health in so many ways. Studies have shown that regular interaction with nature could lower blood pressure, boost mood, and strengthen immunity. Research by the University of Essex, for example, found that a walk in the country reduces depression in 71 per cent of the participants. Nature therapy also has regenerative powers, such as improving mood and easing anxiety, stress, and depression.
Stress Management Therapy
Overwhelming tasks can take your sense of control and can really stress you out, worsening your depression. That is why learning to manage stress and tasks is very important in the treatment process. Your therapist can help you devise ways and coping strategies to handle your tasks well.
Massage Therapy
Massage is very effective in promoting relaxation, calming the body, and combating stress. This therapy does have plenty of health benefits too, one of which is improved blood circulation.
Vacation Therapy
A relaxing vacation will help recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. You need not travel abroad to reap its benefits. Even a short trip to a nearby location can do wonders.
What other natural therapies for alleviating depression can you suggest? Feel free to post a comment below.
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