Physical Archives - Enlightened Solutions

yoga class for holistic approaches to recovery

The Benefits of Holistic Substance Abuse Treatment

Written by enlightened solutions on January 20, 2023. Posted in Holistic Treatment.

There are many ways of treating substance abuse, but at Enlightened Solutions, we believe that holistic treatment methods are some of the most comprehensive. This means that the treatment affects the mind, body, and spirit – not just physical health. All of these factors work together for a comprehensive picture of wellness.

In our experience, holistic substance abuse treatment methods show people how to live healthier and happier lives without a need for alcohol or drugs. Holistic treatments also help clients learn skills to deal with triggers or cravings, as well as help repair relationships that were damaged through long-term substance abuse. Additionally, clients can sense a difference in energy levels, sleep, and even anxiety and depression levels.

All of this – and more – is possible with holistic treatment methods.

The Many Types of Holistic Substance Abuse Treatment

No matter what form the treatment takes, the goals of holistic programs are not just recovery, but also to promote building community and fostering self-reflection. These are also vital tools for getting sober.

Enlightened Solutions offers the following options for holistic treatment:

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that helps the body release tension, anxiety, and other negative emotions that perhaps enabled addiction. Through poses that challenge the body’s limits in a healthy way, focused breathing, and opportunities for meditation, yoga has a high success rate for helping clients achieve sobriety goals. The tools learned in yoga facilitate feelings of calm and relaxation while helping develop better impulse control and reducing stress. Many people who practice yoga regularly report decreased anxiety and depression, reducing the temptation to drink or use.

Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that many on the Western side of the hemisphere have found helpful in overcoming addiction. An acupuncturist applies special needles to five pressure points on both sides of the ears, which stay for about 45 minutes while clients relax in a comfortable chair. It sounds a bit counter-intuitive – relaxation and stress relief from needles?! – but it’s all about balancing the “yin” and “yang” within us. “Yin” and “yang” is a Chinese philosophy that describes interconnected but opposing forces dwelling in every person.

Acupuncture assists with recovery by promoting better quality sleep, which is vital during the detoxification and withdrawal process. It’s actually not uncommon for clients to fall asleep before their acupuncture is complete.

Additional benefits of acupuncture include:

Improved mood during detox
Better circulation
Increased energy and feelings of happiness
Reduced emotional trauma

Art Therapy and Music Therapy

Some of the most complex, unpleasant emotions can drive unique, creative forces. Think of your favorite songs: some of them probably aren’t “happy.” People connect so well to art and music that deal with more difficult aspects of life primarily because these feelings are universal. In the process of recovering from substance abuse, it’s natural to experience inner conflict or sadness as you think of the harm that was caused. Using creative therapies to express these emotions is an extremely effective way to facilitate healing.

At Enlightened Solutions, our primary modes of creative expression are through art and music. Clients can experiment with an array of instruments, canvases, and other artistic tools. Art therapy and music therapy are group activities that include time for processing connections to the art or music after the session is complete. Many people experience an array of emotions through the process of creating, some of which may be difficult to express verbally but come alive through painting or songwriting.

Art therapy and music therapy practices at Enlightened Solutions include:

Collage making
Drawing and painting
Writing short stories or keeping a journal
Studying famous works of art
Sculpting
Writing song lyrics or music
Writing poetry
Singing

Therapists will observe body language during the creative process, taking careful note of any anxiety or stress that comes up. Many times, people who don’t know how to express their emotions in words are better able to verbally process after spending some time painting or playing an instrument. In addition to facilitating communication skills, clients can begin to understand the connection between addictive behaviors and the emotions that drive them.

Chiropractic Therapy

A critical part of getting sober is being able to listen to the body, letting it tell you what it needs. Long-term addiction can dull this ability to listen. Too often, substances are used as a “quick fix” when the body is communicating signals of a deeper need. In other words, substances can mask feelings of stress or anxiety, but can’t actually cure them. Paying attention to the senses is vital at Enlightened Solutions, rather than masking them.

The average person is likely not aware of just how much tension is carried in the back and spine. Stress and anxiety can indeed affect the body physically. It’s hard to notice sometimes when you’ve been hunched over for a while, tightening your shoulders, or grinding your teeth to a point that your jaw hurts. The spine is connected to all of these functions, which is why chiropractic therapy is helpful.

Chiropractic therapy at Enlightened Solutions involves sessions with a doctor who focuses on the spine to relieve the nerves and other tensions due to years of using drugs and other unhealthy habits. After several sessions of chiropractic therapy, you may feel as if years of tension have just been lifted off your body.

Healing physically is only half the battle of recovering from substance abuse and addiction. The mental and emotional effects are just as important when it comes to healing and achieving sobriety. Enlightened Solutions is a treatment facility that addresses all of those factors in the types of treatments we offer. Our holistic treatment methods target the whole person, with a variety of methods that can suit any personality or need. Whether you heal through art, talk therapy, challenging yourself in yoga, or regular sessions with a chiropractor or acupuncturist, we can customize your treatment based on your unique needs. To learn more, speak with a staff member today by calling (833) 801-LIVE.

How Yoga Builds Mental and Physical Strength

Written by enlightened solutions on October 8, 2022. Posted in Recovery.

The practice of yoga is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. This could be because of its adaptability to all experience levels. Or, it could be due to its versatility in appealing to different types of people. Most likely, yoga is becoming more popular due to its ability to increase mental and physical strength and bolster the connection between body and mind.

Not many types of exercise can provide the plethora of benefits that yoga can offer. This is because few activities simultaneously prioritize the health of the mind and body the way that yoga does. Yoga can benefit people of any age and be practiced in groups or individually. Let’s discuss exactly how yoga can improve mental and physical strength and how this benefits addiction recovery.

Mental Strength

As mentioned, practicing yoga can increase mental strength. It can help increase focus and improve your ability to remove distractions and prioritize and organize your thoughts. This can be helpful when triggering thoughts or cravings of using or drinking may arise. Yoga also increases your ability to self-reflect, as the practice encourages listening to and connecting with your inner self.

Stress management is imperative when it comes to success in recovery. Yoga involves breathing techniques that can be extremely useful in reducing and coping with stress. It encourages relaxation and can be practiced as often as needed to help you maintain a calm and balanced state.

Yoga also promotes mental clarity. This is very important when it comes to addiction recovery. Life can get busy and hectic, and losing sight of your goals can be easy. Yoga can help remind you of what is really important by removing distractions.

Lastly, yoga improves mental strength by increasing self-confidence. When you are confident, you are more successful. Having confidence in recovery allows you to feel more secure in your decisions and helps you feel more comfortable asking for support when you might need it. Learn more about how yoga can help you manage substance use disorders (SUDs) here.

Physical Strength

Yoga improves physical strength in several different ways. Yoga is gentle on the joints and bones, yet can significantly strengthen muscle strength and endurance. The poses in yoga rely on your body weight for resistance. Not only does this increase muscle strength, but it can also make everyday activities easier as a result.

Yoga also improves muscle endurance. This occurs as a result of holding various yoga poses. If you are new to yoga, you might find this to be a little tricky at first. With practice, you will notice that holding poses becomes more accessible as your muscle strength and endurance increase.

Speaking of holding yoga poses, this also requires quite a bit of balance. This is part of what makes holding poses difficult in the beginning. Yoga can help improve balance tremendously. Good balance improves how you walk, run, or even dance.

One of the first things people often think about when it comes to yoga is flexibility. Some may even decide to try yoga for this benefit alone. Yoga improves flexibility and mobility. Just like strength and balance, having good flexibility and mobility can make everyday activities a bit easier.

Mind and Body Connection

We have discussed the ways in which yoga can strengthen the mind and body. Now, let’s discuss how it strengthens the connection between the two.

Yoga incorporates an important concept known as mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to the practice of connecting the mind and body to focus on being present in the moment. Yoga utilizes mindfulness by encouraging participants to be still and focus on their breath as they flow from pose to pose.

In addiction recovery, mindfulness allows you to connect the progress you are making mentally with the healing and progress you are making physically. This connection is what keeps you focused and moving forward in recovery. Learn more about mindfulness here.

Enlightened Solutions uses yoga to provide all of the benefits mentioned above to our clients and even ties it into the 12-Step process during treatment. Our instructors help clients develop a practice that works well for them and help them adapt poses and movements to their own comfort and experience level.

With all of the benefits yoga can provide mentally and physically, why not incorporate it into your routine in recovery? You may choose to practice daily, weekly, or even less consistently. Whether you decide to spend five minutes or an hour practicing yoga at a time, you are increasing your mental and physical strength, along with your mind and body connection through mindfulness.

Being mentally and physically strong can benefit your quality of life. In treatment and recovery, mental and physical strength can aid in your success and your ability to remain focused on your goals. Adding yoga into your routine during treatment and recovery is a good idea for many reasons. Not only does it increase mental and physical strength, but it also encourages a mind and body connection to help you heal. Enlightened Solutions offers yoga classes as part of our treatment program. We understand the benefits of the practice and aim to help our clients recognize how yoga can improve their experience during treatment and in recovery. Yoga is part of our holistic approach to treatment, and we have seen the ways in which it can help our clients heal. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

Yoga: A Physical and Mental Experience

Written by enlightened solutions on June 5, 2022. Posted in Recovery.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “yoga?” Do you envision a group of women in their mid-twenties wearing designer outfits pushing through the session just to call it done and get brunch after? The truth is, yoga can be a social experience and is very “in” right now, along with other forms of group wellness techniques. Despite its modern appeal, yoga has been around for thousands of years, and there are great reasons for its continued prevalence in the health and wellness space. Yoga has been proven to provide various physical and mental benefits to those who practice regularly.

Physical Benefits

There are several physical benefits of yoga. Yoga encompasses flexibility, strength, and balance. Improvements in any of these areas can make daily life easier and more enjoyable. For example, better balance can mean an easier time walking or engaging in other exercises. It can even make getting dressed each day a bit simpler. Have you ever almost lost your balance while trying to pull on your pants? I think we have all been there. Having better strength and flexibility allows us to stay mobile and have less of a struggle with things like carrying in the groceries or doing laundry. Yoga is an excellent addition to an existing workout routine or a great place to start if you are looking to begin exercising.

Yoga is low impact, meaning it is more gentle on joints and the overall body than many other forms of exercise. This benefits you physically in that you are better able to maintain practicing yoga long-term, and you can practice more frequently, with it requiring less recovery time. This aspect also makes yoga an excellent choice for older adults, those who may have injuries or have had injuries in the past, or someone just beginning their fitness journey.

Yoga is known to have cardiovascular and digestive benefits and can improve musculoskeletal and nervous system functioning. Basically, it is a one-stop-shop for physical health perks. After battling addiction, your body may not be at its healthiest.; incorporating yoga into your routine can help get things moving in the right direction.

Mental Benefits

Like many other forms of physical activity, yoga can have tremendous benefits on mental health. Just as walking or weight training releases endorphins to improve mood and energy, yoga has a similar effect. However, what is different about yoga is that it encourages you to connect with yourself. This can help bring more self-awareness and introduce useful coping strategies to be utilized beyond just your yoga practice.

Additionally, yoga has a very relaxing effect on the mind. You are encouraged to focus only on the present moment, removing any distractions, worries, or burdens you may be consumed with. Practicing yoga can help reduce stress resulting in better sleep and overall daily functioning. Research suggests that yoga can be beneficial in navigating stressful life situations and can be helpful in easing some symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Body and Mind Connection

Yoga encourages a mind and body connection. While other recreational activities may require this skill as well, few are as intentional in encouraging this relationship. This connection makes yoga so unique and, in many cases, healing. Seeing this connection grow stronger with practice can be very empowering and can transfer into other facets of life.

During yoga, you are encouraged to focus on your breathing and the ways in which your body is moving throughout the exercise. This establishes skills that can be useful in other situations as well. For instance, you can become better equipped to handle stressful situations as they arise by controlling your response to the stress. Additionally, you can become more in tune with your mind and body and, as a result, become better able to identify and understand your own needs.

Yoga has been proven to enhance overall health and well-being and, as part of a treatment experience or throughout recovery, can be instrumental in promoting success. With an emphasis on learning breathwork, practicing focus, and centering, you are better able to cope with the stressors and obstacles you may face throughout your journey to recovery.

The mental and physical benefits presented here are just a few of the advantages yoga can have on your quality of life. Learn more about the benefits various forms of yoga can have on specific substance use disorders (SUDs) here. By choosing to incorporate yoga into your plan for treatment, you are benefitting your mental and physical well-being in a way that is sustainable long-term.

During treatment, addressing and focusing on the whole person is imperative. Part of this approach includes considering physical and mental health. By assessing the status of each individual at intake, clinical staff at Enlightened Solutions are able to select treatment strategies that are most appropriate. This includes encouraging consistent engagement in activities to promote improvement in each area of need. Enlightened Solutions walks the walk of a holistic treatment approach by prioritizing the individual needs of each client and targeting each area of improvement to ensure the best possible outcome. By incorporating various forms of non-traditional therapies and treatments into our curriculum, we guarantee an experience unlike any other. Allow us to create a plan tailored to your needs and situation, and support you in becoming a better version of yourself. If you or someone you love is battling drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Tag: Physical