Holistic Mental health recovery & support

In previous blog posts, we discussed various elements of mental health such as protecting your mental health or the social media effects on mental health.

In this blog post, however, we will be focusing on Personal recovery and suggest different ways that can help your recovery. We would also like to assure you that no matter what your mental health situation looks like, help is available and recovery is possible if the right approach is taken over the long term.

Also, keep in mind that the term recovery has different meanings to different people. It’s about working towards something important to you and staying positive and hopeful about the future.

Finding a community that supports you and stands by your mental health experience plays a pivotal role in your successful recovery. Being in safe spaces and company without the negative stigma around your struggles is a healthy way to spend time with others and perhaps even find people who have the same challenges.

Perhaps you learn about how others have approached recovery, learning about different treatment options and resources available. Maybe you build a support system of accepting individuals that improve your recovery experience simply by being there for you. Finding and nurturing your community reminds you that you are not alone.

ZwavelStream Clinic offers patients integrative holistic care and wellness. Mental health is very often misunderstood, but it’s something that touches us all. Our clinic aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health by equipping patients and their loved ones with education, information and world-class therapeutic care. Contact us to find out more about our mental health clinic and integrative specialist care.

Holistic Mental Health Care

A lot of people might have heard the term; others might still be unfamiliar with it. Let’s briefly define the term “Holistic Mental health care” Holistic Mental Health Care can be simply defined as medicine or treatment that focuses on the patient as a whole, taking into account things such as mental and social factors instead of solely focusing on just the symptoms of the disease.

Holistic approaches do not disregard traditional medicine most holistic approaches are in tandem with alternative methods. Holistic treatment focuses on the idea that each person can take charge of their well-being, and unconditional love and support are the best healers after all.

Holistic principals include some of the following:

• We firmly believe that each patient should be treated as a person and not as their disorder or disease.
• Everyone has the potential to better themselves.
• Holistic Treatment works to fix the root cause and not just the symptoms
• At ZwavelStream we take a team approach where patients and health care providers work together to solve the problem.

There are many methods of holistic medicine out there today for just about every disorder. Most of the time holistic methods are combined with traditional therapy and/or pharmacology ranging from mindfulness meditation to medication.

Benefits Associated with Holistic Treatment

As mentioned above, one of the main benefits of holistic medicine is that it does serve to treat the whole person and not just the current symptoms. By working to find the root cause of an addiction, for example, a person could be more likely to avoid relapse.

It should be said though that Holistic medicine and treatments is often a lifestyle change and not just a quick fix. By opting to go this route you should be aware that it takes commitment from the patient and an understanding that each individual is responsible for their well-being and sense of self. This can help those in recovery to take back control over mental health issues that may have overwhelmed their lives for years. It puts you firmly in the driver’s seat of your own life.

Holistic medicine serves to be extremely helpful and not harmful because this approach looks first to the most non-invasive methods available. While holistic providers do prescribe medication when necessary, they may also seek homoeopathic treatments that exclude pharmaceutical solutions.

Holistic providers may also be more cost-effective at times as they seek to use therapies and mindfulness techniques over other more expensive methods that may not be as effective long-term. By giving each individual control over their body and the healing process, providers are taking a step back.

Finding the Right Treatment

Holistic treatments may encompass many different methods of both conventional and alternative medicine, but the overarching theme is that the person will ultimately build a better, more balanced sense of self while coming to love who they are in the process. The four main elements of the self are often explored and brought into balance, which can greatly aid the recovery process.

The four elements are:

• Mind
• Body
• Soul
• Environment

In order to heal, one must first explore the cause or mindset that triggered the disorder. Toxic and negative thoughts should be eradicated and replaced with positive ones. Holistic medicine encourages group and individual therapy to help with redirecting thoughts and changing behaviours.

Change of Environment

Changing your environment can be a refreshing and much-needed aspect of successful recovery. More often than not, the environment you were in before treatment had qualities that did not support your best mental health. Taking action to experience an environment conducive to treatment gives you a healthy change of pace and a better idea of the spaces you’ll need for long term recovery. Maybe you need to remove yourself from unhealthy environments or experience 24/7 support in the early stages of your recovery. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for you to experience time away in a treatment-specific centre.

Health and Wellness

Part of a successful recovery requires special attention to your own health and wellness habits. Although symptoms experienced with mental health conditions might make it difficult to take good care of yourself, the perfect wellness routine is the one that is realistic to you. Setting attainable goals that feel like a good fit for your stage of recovery is important if you want your routine to improve your overall sense of wellbeing. Eating healthy during recovery also promotes your best energy levels and mental health. Maybe a realistic routine is simply getting more sleep if you are just beginning treatment. Perhaps you feel like an ambitious fitness routine will motivate you more. However, you choose to implement healthy habits, do what works for your stage of recovery.

Healthy habits to practice include:

• Following a healthy balanced diet.
• Practising meditation and deep breathing techniques.
• Using essential oils and herbal supplements to aid in relaxation.
• Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
• Spending 30 minutes a day on an activity that keeps you active.
• Stretching and walking whenever possible.

Self-Advocacy

If you are new to your journey of recovery or treatment, asking for help and advocating for yourself might be a daunting experience. Especially with some cases of asking for help and taking the first step towards sharing personal struggles, the stigma around mental illness, unfortunately, prevents people from getting help. Remembering that you are not alone will remind you to explore resources and advocate for yourself if needed. There may be moments in your recovery where you feel you need extra support in the treatment and that you need more resources available for you to recover. Self-advocacy simply means communicating to ensure your needs are met.

Examples of Self-advocacy include:

• Getting involved with mental health advocacy groups could be advantageous to your recovery process.
• Communicating with your therapist or treatment specialist when you struggle.
• Rallies or events that spread awareness and reduce mental health stigma.

Setting Goals

Achieving progress in mental health recovery means having a realistic sense of where you are now and where you’d like to be. Learning how to set SMART goals ensures that you can stay motivated and follow clear next steps to reach any goal you set for yourself. Remember that any goal in your recovery is perfectly acceptable, as long as you are realistic and aim for something that will make you feel good.

A great example of a recovery goal is to have attended every psychologist appointment in a month. Another could be having purchased healthy groceries during your next shopping trip. No matter your goal, let your recovery go at your own pace and you will always feel proud of your progress.

More ideas for SMART recovery goals include:

• Spending time journaling every day in a week
• Taking medications on time and communicating with your psychologist
• Making a new friend at support groups each week
• Cooking healthy meals each weeknight
• Sleeping by a certain time each night

At ZwavelStream clinic, you will be met by a team of warm, dedicated and experienced professionals. We strive to provide our patients with a mixed therapeutic model of psychiatric care so that you can discover a renewed sense of wellness that extends beyond mental health. We have helped numerous patients on their road to recovery, and we can help you too! By utilizing the information above you can start taking back control, and also enjoy the benefits of a healthy and happy mind.

Zwavelstream Clinic is set in the Bronberg, with lush vegetation, manicured gardens, as well as spacious and tastefully furnished rooms. Our mental health clinic was inspired by the desire to provide a psychiatric unit in an environment that “de-institutionalizes and de-stigmatizes” mental health hospitals.

There’s no shame in seeking treatment to improve your mental health. It’s an act of great courage to take that first step and reach out. At ZwavelStream Clinic we provide a safe space for those looking for just this kind of support and guidance. So if you recognize yourself or someone you love may need help, please contact us.