At Tea Time Therapy, we understand that there is no “one size fits all” on the mental health journey. Multiple unique parts constantly interact to create you and your well-being – mental, physical, emotional, and social. This is why we integrate holistic evidence-based approaches to best suit your individual needs and goals. But what exactly does a holistic approach mean and how can you benefit from it?
What is a Holistic Approach to Mental Health?
In essence, the holistic approach means looking at all aspects of a person to discover the needs of the mind, body, and soul. It breaks down all of the factors in a person’s life that impacts them into separate pieces and addresses the elements individually.
The idea behind holistic-based therapy is that by understanding how all of these personal and lifestyle factors interact, a more successful and unique care plan can be created, and a deeper level of healing can be achieved.
Overall, the holistic approach strives for healing at all levels, rather than just focusing on reducing the symptoms of a diagnosis.
How you can Benefit From a Holistic Approach
Since the foundation of the holistic approach is based on the idea that your physical, mental, and spiritual health are all interconnected and the state of your well-being is the overall outcome of those factors, improving one area can help to benefit all areas.
Holistic approaches look at implementing healthy habits for the body; such as physical activity and an improved diet. This has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and enhance sleep quality.
It also strives to use the mind as a tool for healing through approaches such as meditation and talk therapy. These treatments have been shown to reduce stress, provide a deeper understanding of the workings of your mind to reframe how you interpret and respond to certain situations, and increase spirituality. All of these factors help to improve your overall state of mind and well-being.
It is no surprise that holistic-based approaches to mental health are becoming more popular in therapeutic practices. It can show you that you are more than just a diagnosis or a set of symptoms, which helps to combat the stigma still surrounding mental health. Integrating these approaches and treatments into therapeutic practices can help you address and fulfill the needs of your mind, body, and soul and achieve long-lasting effects.
That being said, pets can also be a big responsibility and may not be suitable for everyone due to a range of factors. However, there are always opportunities available for one to experience the benefits of pets! Hypoallergenic pets can help if you have allergies, fostering a pet temporarily is always an option, or even just popping down to a local animal shelter to spend some time with the animals there whenever you need it. Who knew you could practice mindfulness just by hanging out with your furry friend! Their being totally adorable is just a bonus.
References
Mirmont Treatment Center. (2021, August 02). What is a holistic approach to mental health? Main Line Health. https://www.mainlinehealth.org/blog/what-is-a-holistic-approach-to-mental-health
DreamLife Recovery. (n.d.). Mind, Body, Soul: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health. https://dreamliferecovery.com/mind-body-soul-a-holistic-approach-to-mental-health/
Morollo, M. (n.d.). Why Mental Health Requires a Holistic Approach. Common Care Central. https://www.commoncarecentral.com/mental-health-a-to-z/why-mental-health-recovery-requires-a-holistic-approach
Lanocepsychiatry. (2021, February 18). Benefits of Holistic Approach to Mental Health. https://www.lanocepsychiatry.com/post/benefits-of-holistic-approach-to-mental-health
Northern Kentucky University. (2021, July 13). A Holistic Approach to Mental Health. https://onlinedegrees.nku.edu/articles/msn/holistic-approach-to-mental-health.aspx
