Everyone knows about the benefits of massage, yoga, and meditation. But there are some forms of therapy that aren’t talked about as much. That isn’t because they don’t work, they just aren’t as popular, yet.
Therapy is an important part of recovery, so it makes sense to take on any type of therapy that could assist you. Here are five that can help you on a deeper level than just talking to a therapist.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a great way to get your feelings out in a creative way. You can combine this type of therapy with journaling, or on its own. It’s all a matter of drawing your feelings and making them into something that is not inside of you.
Lately people have started using coloring as a form of meditative therapy, and you can find some great new coloring books available. It’s like art therapy, without the need to draw.
Music Therapy
Music therapy can come in a couple forms. Simply listening to music can be relaxing and exhilarating, depending on your music of choice. It’s likely that at least once you’ve heard a song on the radio that gave you an emotional response.
Learning an instrument can also be great therapy. Plus, there are studies that say that playing an instrument, like piano or guitar, can actually raise your IQ and make you smarter.
Equine Therapy
Equine therapy, which is mostly used in addiction rehab and therapy for mental illness, is a form of therapy that uses horses to determine a person’s reaction to certain stimuli. It allows the patient to get out of their own minds so that they can learn better coping skills and more.
Pet Therapy
Much like the horses, bringing pets around people needing therapy can help them cheer up and get out of their heads for a moment where they can relax and begin to recover. Pet therapy is often used in nursing homes.
The most common pets used in pet therapy are dogs, cats, and even sometimes miniature horses or rabbits.
Nature Therapy
Getting out into nature can make a huge difference in your day and your life, and mood. During the winter months many people suffer from cabin fever and seasonal affective disorder. Simply getting some time outside, and in the sunlight, can make a huge difference.
When you are out, take a walk, look at and listen to nature. Take in the sun, look at the clouds.
These forms of therapy all work in different ways and some are better than others. For some people a simple trip to the store for some retail therapy is all they need to bring a smile back to their faces.
Originally posted on January 24, 2016 @ 10:32 pm