Alternative Treatment And Help
Relaxed Body... Relaxed Mind
There are a whole variety of different treatment to explore that can help relax and soothe your body and mind. Relaxing the body will help relax the mind and this is very important particularly with mental illness which can often cause the mind and body great distress and unrest.
On this page we will be a exploring a few alternative ways which may help you relax and unwind…
On this page we will be a exploring a few alternative ways which may help you relax and unwind…
Relaxing Treatments / Techniques
- Massage
- Meditiation
- Accupucture
- Aromatherapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Meditiation
- Accupucture
- Aromatherapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
Massage
Massages are a brilliant way of the relaxing tense muscles and minds. There are many different types of massages available, including full body, back and shoulder, and not to mention some more exotic ones such as Indian head massage, Thai massage, and Hot Stone Treatment. You can even learn the technique of massage yourself or get your friend or partner to learn and practice on eachother! (this would be the more affordable option and possibly more fun too)
Meditation
Meditation goes back many thousands of years and has helped thousands of people achieve a sense of peace and tranquility in the midst of turmoil and strife. Personally, when I first tried meditation, I honestly thought it would be useless – how could breathing exercises help me in any way? (I already know how to breathe thanks) - but once again, I was proved wrong. After going along to a meditation class with a friend (who literally had to drag me along) I found the experience of meditating very interesting and strangely calming. As a group we were told to sit on the floor cross legged and to clear our minds – focusing only on breathing and savoring each breath we took. This was actually a lot harder than it sounds and I found my mind constantly drifting…what’s for tea… what to watch on telly…things to do tomorrow… but the more I practiced, the more I found it getting easier. Having suffered from anxiety, a racing mind and troubled thoughts were something that I found difficult to deal with – but meditation was helping me to focus on something other than what was racing around in my head. Thoughts can be so overwhelming that sometimes we can become what we think – our thoughts become us. But meditation allowed me to remember that I am more than my thoughts and that beyond everything that is swimming around in my mind – there is still me underneath it all. The mind can be difficult to control, and is often governed by external circumstances. If something good happens – we think happy thoughts and feel happy – if something bad happens – we think bad thoughts and feel sad. Meditation helps us to train our minds so that we can gain more control over our thoughts – regardless and despite of our external circumstances. In this way – we can always find a sense of inner peace even if our surroundings are chaotic
Acupuncture
Yes this looks painful, but actually has the opposite effect – its good for you! People who have tried acupuncture say the sensation is a slight tingle or at the most a dull ache. Acupuncture is a ancient Chinese technique based on the belief that an energy, or 'life force' called Qi (pronounced 'chee') flows through the body and that when this flow is interrupted ill health can occur. The process of inserting needles into the skin at certain points on the body is believed to restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.
Acupuncture can be used for a wide variety of conditions including:
Acupuncture can be used for a wide variety of conditions including:
- chronic pain, including neck and back pain
- joint pain
- dental pain allergies, including hay fever and eczema
- depression and anxiety
- digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- infertility and menstrual disorders
- insomnia
Aromatherapy
This probably sounds a lot less painful and a lot more appealing and than acupuncture! Aromatherapy uses essential plant oils and their qualities to aid relaxation and healing. Plant oils have been used for therapy for thousands of years going back to ancient Egypt, China and India.
Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin through massage or creams and lotions. Essential oils can also be inhaled e.g. in bubble bath soaps, lavender pillow drops, etc. Essential oils are thought to have different effects, causing you to feel relaxed or stimulated. In addition, the gentle massage often used to apply the diluted oils to your skin is likely to have a relaxing effect.
Some of the conditions aromatherapy is used for include:
Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin through massage or creams and lotions. Essential oils can also be inhaled e.g. in bubble bath soaps, lavender pillow drops, etc. Essential oils are thought to have different effects, causing you to feel relaxed or stimulated. In addition, the gentle massage often used to apply the diluted oils to your skin is likely to have a relaxing effect.
Some of the conditions aromatherapy is used for include:
- anxiety, stress or insomnia
- muscular aches and pains
- headaches
Hypnotheraphy
When you think of hypnosis what thoughts pop into your head? People falling asleep at the snap of the finger? People on stage having their minds controlled by a mischievous hypnotist and being made to do embarrassing things?
Despite the preconceptions, hypnotherapy can in actual fact be a effective way of relaxing the mind and body – allowing you to tap into your subconscious mind and explore your inner most thoughts, emotions and feelings. Hypnotherapy is now becoming and more popular and can be used to help with a vast range of problems including…
Confidence/Motivation/Self Esteem, Phobias (fear of flying, spiders, etc) Depression, Drug Addiction, Eating Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Insomnia, Smoking, Stress / Anxieties and Weight Loss
Despite the preconceptions, hypnotherapy can in actual fact be a effective way of relaxing the mind and body – allowing you to tap into your subconscious mind and explore your inner most thoughts, emotions and feelings. Hypnotherapy is now becoming and more popular and can be used to help with a vast range of problems including…
Confidence/Motivation/Self Esteem, Phobias (fear of flying, spiders, etc) Depression, Drug Addiction, Eating Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Insomnia, Smoking, Stress / Anxieties and Weight Loss
Yoga
Yoga is a very popular and effective way of improving body and mind health. When I first tried yoga, I thought it would be really easy, surely it couldn’t be that difficult to cross my arms and legs and bend a bit could it?
I couldn’t have been more wrong! Although the slow stretchy movements in yoga may look easy – they can be very challenging and you can definitely feel the difference in your body afterwards! But do not fear – there are different levels including beginners – so you wont be thrown in the deep end straight away! Yoga has many physical and mental health benefits including…
Some Benefits of Yoga
Mood improves and well-being increases
Anxiety and Depression may decrease
Concentration and memory may improve
Flexibility and fitness increases
High blood pressure levels decreases
Cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency increases
I couldn’t have been more wrong! Although the slow stretchy movements in yoga may look easy – they can be very challenging and you can definitely feel the difference in your body afterwards! But do not fear – there are different levels including beginners – so you wont be thrown in the deep end straight away! Yoga has many physical and mental health benefits including…
Some Benefits of Yoga
Mood improves and well-being increases
Anxiety and Depression may decrease
Concentration and memory may improve
Flexibility and fitness increases
High blood pressure levels decreases
Cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency increases
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a art form originating from ancient china, which is now popular world wide as a way in which to achieve both physical and mental wellbeing. Tai Chi is for all ages and even for someone in their 90’s can enjoy great benefits from this gentle form of exercise. Tai Chi offers a variety of levels of difficulty, so despite you age or level of fitness – everyone can benefit from this practice. ‘Chi’ is ‘energy’ and in Tai Chi, the subtle gentle movements help to improve balance, flexibility, mental and physical health and builds up energy!
More Information
http://www.thehypnotherapyassociation.co.uk
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/health
http://www.everyday-taichi.com
http://www.how-to-meditate.org