Holistic therapy

Aromatherapy and meditation

ccasati Holistic therapy, Mental health

When people think of relaxing, a few things cross their mind. Maybe someone’s idea of relaxing is lying down mindlessly watching TV, another person’s might be reading their favorite book, while others may prefer more physical activities such as yoga to calm their mind and body.

However, one type of peaceful meditation that a lot of people do not think about is aromatherapy. This is a great way to calm the body and mind using your sense of smell as essential oil fragrances are released into the air around you.

It is considered a very spiritual method of peaceful meditation, as it is tapping into one of your senses to try and calm your body down and, in some instances, cure it holistically.

Different types of aromatherapy

There are a couple different ways aromatherapy may be used. One of them is direct inhalation, where the fragrances are released into the environment. These scents are extracted from plants and using an oil diffuser will release these wonderful scents into the air for us to smell.

I have never tried aromatherapy myself, however from personal experience, when I am in an area where the smells are wonderful and I am allowed to relax, it definitely does bring a sense of peacefulness and serenity throughout my entire body.

Another method utilized in aromatherapy treatment is topological treatment where these oils are used on the skin in an attempt to further relax the body.

One example of this is when essential oils are used in massages. These essential oils are plant-based oils that are meant to relax the muscles of the body and release stress, pain, and tension from the muscles in the body.

Why you should try aromatherapy

There is never a golden rule when it comes to relaxation and peaceful meditation practices. Every individual is different and, therefore, there are a variety of ways people have found to connect them to their inner peace.

You never know what type of activity you may take a liking to or end up having a deep passion for until you try it. Therefore, giving aromatherapy a try is a great new way to find peace and tranquility and to see if it is something you would want to do more often in the future.

Many of my friends have tried it and love these types of relaxation practices and are big advocates that it really does help in the stress department.

How aromatherapy works

Aromatherapy works by first diffusing the scents in a manner your body is able to absorb. By inhaling these scents, it sends signals to the “smell” receptors in the nose which then process the information and communicate with parts of the brain which acts as a storehouse for memories and emotions.

Once the brain starts sensing these signals, research has shown the brain responds and stimulates certain physical, emotional and mental responses. Once this occurs, the relaxation process begins as the body starts to find that calm place and center itself on certain thoughts and emotions.

Aromatherapy for other use

Even though many people do not realize it or think to use it, aromatherapy can be a great way to help with a drug recovery process, or be used throughout one to ease the stress and trauma on the body as it goes through withdrawals.

It can be used as a substitute for the feelings the drugs once used to bring and hopefully help a person on their path to sobriety.

Final thoughts

Aromatherapy is widely accepted supplement to meditation and is something that everyone should at least try once. It may not be something you become majorly interested in, but there is nothing wrong with approaching every new idea with an open mind and giving all of the options out there a try!

Relapse prevention

ccasati Drug addiction, Holistic therapy

Graduating from a drug or alcohol recovery program is definitely something to celebrate.

However, the journey does not end there for most addicts. Becoming clean or sober is one thing, however, staying that way after a history of substance abuse is another matter altogether.

It can be very hard for an addict to stay away from drugs and alcohol for an extended period as eventually, a relapse can happen. This is why so many addicts still need to learn effective relapse prevention coping skills and seek addiction and depression help, as some effects of relapse can become very harsh on their body if they have not used in a very long time.

No matter how long the time frame the addict has been away from the substance, there is always a small chance that an event or trigger could spark a relapse. They are used to having an intimate relationship with the substance they were abusing, which makes it a very easy and comfortable transition for them to fall right back into that dark routine they became so accustomed too.

How to avoid these pitfalls

There are a few ways that graduates of a rehab program can attempt to stay substance-free for the rest of their lives. One way is for them to fill the void the drug was filling for them with something completely different.

This could range from finding a new social group to hang out with that shares similar interests as you, or maybe meeting the person of their dreams and falling in love, maybe a new sport to keep them active and busy, maybe the new job they were waiting for hired them or they got a promotion, or even something as simple as picking up a new hobby.

There are definitely a lot of ways that people looking to stay away from the substances of their past can choose to go about it.

A great activity to pick up is yoga. There are so many benefits of yoga for men and women that it really is a smart choice when it comes to relapse prevention.

The dangers of a relapse

As we all know, alcohol and drug abuse is a dangerous thing to be involved with. These substances can take years off a healthy life expectancy and can even end life in the blink of an eye.

One incidence of an overdose or the wrong substance entering the body can cause it to not function and shut down at any given moment. This is why it is so crucial for someone that has chosen to become sober to try their best to keep it that way.

Once a relapse happens, it is an all too common occurrence for the user to slump back into their old habits and become addicted and reliant on the substance very quickly.

Furthermore, the second time someone comes into contact with the vicious cycle of substance abuse, it can be much harder to tear them away from it and keep them sober as they have experienced becoming reliant on it again and becoming comfortable with that.

Fighting to stay sober is a key part of the recovery process, which many do not take as seriously as they should. One friendly harmless drink to a previous alcoholic may not be that friendly and harmless in a few month’s time.

Hits close to home

As a student at college, you may always feel surrounded by the alcohol culture whether you like it or not. Every weekend there are parties and every weekend there are drunk people roaming the streets waiting to make some stupid comment or fall flat on their face from intoxication.

One of my best friends freshman year had many issues with alcohol dependency as the first semester went on and he became more and more accustomed to the drinking culture and how acceptable it is as. You can go out any night of the week and blend in, as there are always people out at the bars no matter what night you go out on.

As my friend became more absorbed with his drinking life, he stopped going to class and became a prisoner of his own thoughts. Every day he needed a drink to survive, without it, withdrawals would hit him hard and he needed a drink to get him back to a stable place.

Before long, he would be flat out intoxicated again.

It was a very sad time for our social group to see one of our close friends consumed like this by alcohol. We had all heard about the dangers of alcohol before stepping on campus but it didn’t hit home how real it was until it was right in front of us.

Eventually, when he went home for the summer, his parents and loved ones got him the attention he needed at a recovery program and they were able to get him back on the right path in life. Even years after we graduated he hasn’t touched a drink, but sometimes it is a constant battle for him not to go back.

I am just glad he has a great support group around him that make him strive to stay sober every day.

The importance of being mindful

ccasati Holistic therapy, Mental health

From a personal and outside experience, it seems that many people rush around in their daily lives and do not stop to think about what is actually going on around them.

Many people are so busy they do not give themselves a chance to relax throughout the day which can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety. This can be an uncomfortable experience and it is definitely best to avoid this happening if possible.

There are a few ways to deepen our senses and come to terms with what brings value to our lives and what we should let go of, such as these stresses and worries that we sometimes bring into our lives unnecessarily.

Having a designated time and space where you feel safe is especially important in letting go of these anxieties that can make you feel trapped in your day to day lives. There are a few methods that can greatly help relieve these tensions, such as relaxation techniques and other options you can use to wind down after a long day, or even in the middle of it.

Making sure you are being mindful and aware of the present and what is going on around us can greatly improve your quality of living. Mindfulness practice is a form of holistic therapy that can be used for effective stress management, anxiety disorders, and in some cases, drug addiction treatment.

Some ways to relieve anxiety

Whether you are currently having a terrible day, need to relax after a stressful day of work, or need some space after taking the kids to an event, there are a few ways to unwind and reconnect with ourselves.

Understanding your personality and what you enjoy will determine what methods are the right ones for you. Many people do not fully appreciate the benefits of ‘switching off’ a few minutes a day. It can rejuvenate you mentally and give you an extra boost for the rest of day.

The process of letting go and being mindful only comes when you are in touch with your entire body. This means that you can feel all of your senses strongly, from the breeze touching your skin to the faintest smells that your nose is picking up. Allowing yourself to be in control of these senses, while emptying your mind and letting thoughts pass through without judgment, is the key to having a mindfulness practice.

Activities which lend itself to this type of mindfulness practice are yoga, meditation, visualization, or even sports where you have a singular focus that can help keep your mind free.

Visualization, in my opinion, is a great technique that can relieve you of anxiety. In this mindfulness-based exercise, you will go through the details of a specific event and imagine the desired outcome. Seeing these types of positive visions can relax the mind and bring an upbeat energy to your life.

You will no longer start to worry about the ‘what-ifs’ and only concern yourself with your goals and what you want to happen. However, it is you choose to bring awareness into your life, it should be something you enjoy that allows you step out of your busy day and see the bigger picture.

Alternative practices to achieve mindfulness

A treatment specialist would begin to break down your past and present habits and the way you live, and try to pinpoint the source of the problem. It is a way of fixing the problem long term and not just a short-term fix. They would help you live a more balanced lifestyle allowing the problem to disappear naturally and not forcefully. There is never anything wrong with reaching out for help when it comes to achieving peacefulness in life.