5 Alternatives to Traditional Treatments for Stress and Addiction
Cancer Education | Mental Health
Whether you’re struggling with addiction or simply dealing with stress, it’s never easy to ask for help. The stress in your life may have caused you to leave an overwhelming job for something part-time that’s less stressful. For some, it can feel like defeat. If this sounds familiar, there are many forms of treatment available that can help you get your life back. Here, Kickin’ Cancer explains how to get started.
1. Neurofeedback Therapy
Your brain features a remarkable network of electrical signals. These signals travel along neural pathways and control everything you see, hear, feel, and taste. In a clinical setting, neurofeedback can be used to identify irregularities within the brain’s electrical signals, which may indicate damaged “wiring.” Neurofeedback training has been successfully used to help improve the psychological state of those with opioid substance abuse disorders, and it can have the same positive impact on those simply dealing with stress and anxiety. A neurofeedback specialist can look for these irregularities and help you learn to take more control over your brain. This can keep you from succumbing to stress, depression, and addiction by helping you manage your impulses. While not yet considered a standalone treatment, monitoring your brainwave activities as you are exposed to certain stimuli can help you change your behaviors.
2. Yoga and Meditation
Meditation can work wonders for those dealing with stress, depression, and addiction recovery by helping you be present in the moment instead of fixating on things that are out of your control. According to Chopra, when you practice meditation and yoga, your cortisol levels (which rise during a fight-or-flight response) naturally decrease. This allows your mind and body to become balanced and gives you a chance to heal. There are several different types of meditations, including guided meditations, body relaxation scans, nature walks, and primordial sound meditation. Try some of these different forms and see which one works best for you. Yoga can be practiced with or without meditation. The emphasis inward to the body and to grounding yourself can be very helpful for recovering addicts. There are free videos online that you can try or you can find on site classes offered near you.
3. Biochemical Restoration
The body needs the right balance of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals in order to thrive. When you’re overwhelmed by anxiety or abusing drugs and alcohol, this balance becomes severely distorted and can leave you feeling tired and sluggish. Biochemical restoration is the practice of treating and preventing both emotional and physical diseases, such as addiction, by feeding the brain and body the trace minerals, macronutrients, vitamins, and other metabolically active substances it needs. In short, it restores your internal operating systems from the inside out. Cassiobury Court recommends adding healthy fats, protein, and fiber to your diet and avoiding sugar, processed foods, and caffeine.
4. Exercise
While you might dread the thought of running on the treadmill, exercise can be one of your best weapons in the fight against depression, anxiety, and addiction. In fact, many turn to exercise as a form of self-care because the chemicals released through physical activity stimulate the same parts of the brain as drugs (prescription or otherwise). Exercise triggers the brain to up its production of endorphins, which, according to HuffPost, can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, giving you the strength you need to face the day.
5. Animal Therapy
It is common to include animal therapy as part of a treatment plan for individuals struggling with anxiety or addiction. Spending time with animals releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps you heal. Caring for an animal can also help give you a sense of purpose and offer a distraction when cravings or racing thoughts arise.Being responsible for a pet allows you to think about something other than your own struggles because they rely on you for food, water, and love. Caring for your pet can help build your confidence, too.
Know When You Need Traditional Treatment
Addiction is a serious issue that requires professional treatment in order to overcome. While there are many approaches to addiction recovery, it’s important to know when it’s time to seek traditional methods such as rehab centers in the US. Traditional treatment options like inpatient or outpatient programs offer structured and supervised environments, access to medical and mental health services, and peer support groups – all critical components of long-term success in recovering from addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, it’s crucial to discuss all available treatment options with a healthcare professional.
Find the Treatment Process that Fits Your Needs
While each of these alternative treatment methods have many positive benefits, they may not be enough to help you manage your mental health on their own. Don’t be afraid to seek therapy at a rehab center or prescription medication, in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations. However, if you’re looking for a supplemental approach, consider neurofeedback, meditation, a nutrition therapy regimen, exercise, and animal therapy as additional building blocks upon which to build the foundation of your healthy new lifestyle.
Submitted by Phillip Carr
