People are complicated, especially when we’re recovering from addiction.
Drug addiction is a disease that both affects us and everyone around us. It’s why so many drug rehabs and addiction centers take a holistic approach during drug treatment. “Holistic” means taking the entire view of a person under treatment, considering their mental and even social states as they receive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
For those of us in sober living homes, holistic healing can be a great way to supplement our sobriety and keep us on the right track. After all, sober living is about more than just not using drugs or alcohol. It’s about learning how to live a sober life, which can be challenging at times.
Holistic healing is a form of self-care, itself important while recovering from addiction. Here are a few forms of holistic healing anyone can take part in during or after their stay in a sober living home.
9 Holistic Healing Methods You Can Use Today
In general, these holistic healing therapies are thought to promote stress reduction and help with pain tolerance. Yes, while more studies need to be done on all these forms of holistic healing, we’re simply presenting them as useful alternative methods to stay happy and stress-free in recovery.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that’s been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It involves placing thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. These points are said to be connected to the body’s energy, or Qi.
Acupuncture is said to help with pain relief, stress, anxiety, and even addiction.
Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of needles, pressure is applied to specific points on the body. This can be done with the hands, elbows, or even objects like balls or massage tools. Like acupuncture, acupressure is said to help with stress, anxiety, pain, and even addiction. A 2012 study found that acupressure could be helpful in treating symptoms of withdrawal in people recovering from heroin addiction.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body practice that involves physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It’s said to help with stress, anxiety, pain, and even addiction. Yoga is a great way to reduce stress, improve flexibility, and get some exercise. Remember, yoga can greatly differ in method, intensity, and experience level, so keep that in mind if you’re new to the practice.
Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a practice that involves focusing on the breath and letting thoughts come and go without judgment. Meditation calms us down, but more importantly, it teaches perspective. When we meditate, we’re often able to observe our problems and conflicts without judgment, allowing us to find healthy ways to resolve unpleasant situations. It can be easy to get caught up in irrational thoughts when we’re under stress.
A 2014 study found that meditation could be helpful in treating symptoms of withdrawal in people recovering from alcohol addiction. Many drug treatment centers utilize mindfulness meditation as part of their treatment programs.
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. There are many different types of meditation, so it’s important to find one that’s right for you.
Reiki
Reiki is a form of energy healing that involves the placement of hands on the body. Developed in 1900 by Mikao Usui, reiki is used throughout the healthcare world, including hospitals. The word is a fusion of two Japanese words: rei, which means “universal,” and ki, which refers to a concept of a universal life force.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a type of stress reduction technique that uses sensors to help you become more aware of your body’s response to stress. During a biofeedback session, electronic sensors are placed on the body, which helps people receive information about their physical state. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of biofeedback, including:
- Brain waves: An electroencephalograph machine, or EEG, uses sensors placed on the scalp to measure and monitor brain waves.
- Heart rate: This form of biofeedback uses sensors placed on the earlobe or finger to detect any blood volume changes. Other sensors on the wrist, torso, or chest measure heart rate.
- Temperature: Sensors on the fingers or feet monitor blood flow to the skin. Since our temperature actually drops under stress, this form of biofeedback is great when treating anxiety.
Massage
Massage is a form of touch therapy that involves the rubbing and kneading of the muscles and soft tissues. It’s said to help with stress, anxiety, pain, and even addiction. There are many types of massage available, each suited for different individuals. By doing your research, you can find the perfect type of massage for you.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants, trees, and flowers to promote relaxation and well-being. Lavender, tea tree, ginger, and lemon are just a few of the scents used during aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a common accompaniment to other forms of holistic healing, like massage therapy.
Aromatherapy is relatively easy to do on one’s own, too. Although pricey, many essential oils are relatively easy to find in stores.
Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional therapy is the use of diet and supplements to promote health and well-being. By keeping ourselves hydrated and fueled by healthy foods, we’re able to better control our moods and symptoms … and undoing a lot of the damage addiction did to us.
Start Exploring Holistic Healing and Find a Sober Home for You with SoberLivingNearYou.com!
All of these forms of holistic healing complement a stay in a sober living home. In fact, some sober homes even include these sessions as a feature. Again, while research is still pending on the individual effectiveness of these methods, anything that helps you feel better without addictive substances is a positive thing to do in recovery.
Finding a sober home? That can be a real challenge. There are a lot of sober home providers out there and browsing page after page of living room photos and more can get really old really quick. Fortunately, we’ve got the answer.
SoberLivingNearYou.com was created specifically to make the search for a sober home as easy as it should be. We’ve placed hundreds of sober home listings from across the US at your fingertips, making browsing for a sober home as easy as clicking search. With our directory site of sober homes, you’ll find one for your needs, interests, and budget in no time at all.
Holistic healing and sober homes are both great ways to enhance your recovery and make it last a lifetime. Start searching SoberHomesNearYou.com today!
