Holistic Healing, taking a balanced approach to rehab and recovery
At sobriety.ca foundation we understand that any recovery program designed to provide lasting and sustainable sobriety requires an understanding more than the human mind, it requires the resident to be seen as a whole person.
Our treatment plan rests firmly on a foundation of proven and evidence-based cognitive and behavioral therapies. However, unlike some 28-day or 12-step approaches to recovery, we balance our therapeutic approach with holistic or alternative healing modalities.
Understanding the importance of treating the whole person, mind body and soul helps us to provide a recovery program and plan for longevity that resonates with our residents. Our success rates confirm that this works.
Our holistic approach to treating the individual calls on each person’s strengths, requirements, and preferences to help change the way our residents see themselves and the way they interact with their world. Our hope is that this new clarity will enable them to see clearly how they can face the challenges ahead, and ultimately triumph. The holistic practices we offer were selected because we believe each will help our residents become aware of how interconnected their mind, body, and spirit truly are. Of course we want to engage our residents in activities that resonate with them, so it is important that we are able to offer a wide variety of options.
Hatha Yoga:
“Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that uses physical techniques to try to preserve and channel vital force or energy. The Sanskrit word हठ haṭha literally means “force”, alluding to a system of physical techniques.” (source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_yoga)
The practice of Yoga not only encourages physical engagement it teaches participants how to breathe while in unfamiliar situations, Yoga postures called ASNAS often have the Yogi shaping their body into positions that may at first glance seem impossible or uncomfortable, However through learning to approach each position with the right measure of a calm mind and appropriate breath practitioners quickly become familiar with the position and learn to breathe into it. This is an important tool in recovery because our residents will encounter situations and positions that may make them feel a measure of anxiety or discomfort, however armed with the tools that yoga teaches they will be have the opportunity to respond with a calm mind and a steady breath, attributes which will negate the typical physiological response of fight or flight.
Yoga also offers a calming Savasana rest period after the practice, in this calm meditative state residents can internalize the lessons discovered on their mats and though this process these moments of reflection and quiet offer a relaxed mindset.
Tai-Chi :
Tai-Chi is a moment with breath process, residents learn to move mindfully through positions, gathering balance, and insight as the practice progresses. Tai Chi employs slow, gentle movements, breathing techniques, and cognitive tools (i.e., attention, imagery) to strengthen, integrate, and relax the body and mind. Much like the traditional CBT therapies residents engage in Tai Chi reinforces the practice of awareness. Cognitive awareness is yet another tool that is very important to help our graduates sustain sobriety when they return to life outside of rehab.
Recreational Activities:
Anyone who spent Saturday mornings in front of the TV only to be told to get outside and move knows that once you started you began to relish every moment outside. That is because our bodies were meant to move, whether it’s a hike a bike ride, or paddle or just enjoying a calm day rivers edge fishing, getting into motion takes your mind to a new place.
Journaling:
Another wonderful tool for sustained recovery is the process of keeping a journal. Through the exercise of writing or our thoughts we can begin to discover patterns of negative or dismissive self talk, Sometimes residents were unaware of how down on themselves they had become. A journal can also provide a friendly non judgemental outlet for sorting out complex problems and issues that arise on the path.
Some of the more immediate benefits of keeping a journal are
- -It gives you a way to manage depression symptoms
- -Writing out your thoughts can help identify your triggers
- -Getting things off your chest can help to alleviate anxiety
- -Having an outlet definitely can reduce stress
- -It helps you to create and develop goals
- -It is a place to record and then reflect on the past
- Revisiting your journal will always give you an opportunity to celebrate just how far you’ve come
Massage therapy:
Most of our residents incorporating massage therapy into their recovery plan a joy. And it is little wonder, because for most people massage techniques are enjoyable, both during and after the session. Massage can give residents a chance to unwind and real deeply Massages can also help with treatments for depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders. Massage therapy has proven to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with PTSD, such as dissociation. It can contribute to enhancing a sense of physical well-being and it just feels really good to have sore tense muscles relax.
Gardening:
In his essay ‘Soil Sacrament’, David Weale calls gardeners the ‘constant ones…for they seem to have in them something of the deep wisdom of the earth, and the quiet exuberance of all that grows.’
Spending time in nature lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and boosts the immune system, all ideal effects for the body, mind, and spirit in recovery. Gardening takes this all step further. Research has shown there are positive effects of soil microbes on human health, yep dirt has natural antidepressants! Mycobacterium vaccae is a bacterium found in the soil that stimulates serotonin production, and helps to make you feel relaxed and happier This is why gardening is an ideal tool for those in addiction recovery and is also perfect for anyone suffering from concurrent disorders such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. Not only is getting your hands dirty healthy, but working with nature helps to put life in perspective and provides a space for working through issues via the meditative quality of the experience.