Going through a global pandemic can be stressful. Many studies have showed an increase in stress an anxiety across North Americans. There are many different ways to try and cope with your mental and emotional health. On one end there is the field of science and medicine. In fact I have recently turned to therapy to help cope with both the pandemic as well as a personal traumatic situation at home. But there are also some alternate therapies and ancient healing methods that are also gaining popularity world wide during this time. Some of these techniques include physiotherapy, yoga, aromatherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, and Ayurveda. I wanted to share some of the benefits I have found through some of these alternative healing methods.
1. Ayurveda
Ayurvedic treatments are based on ancient Indian practices and use medicines made from herbs and plants to restore balance in the mind and body. It is an all-natural form of treatment that also incorporates massages as a mode of healing.
2. Physiotherapy and Chiropractics
Physiotherapy and chiropractics take a more holistic approach to heal physical pain, looking at the body as a whole and focussing on overall well-being and lifestyle of the individual. Both practices work on the principle that the body can heal itself when it is correctly aligned, which in turn helps the nervous system function at its optimum.
It is not difficult to find a chiropractor nowadays, as it has become a popular choice of treatment for ailments such as back pain, whiplash and problems of the spine.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine thin needles into the various acupuncture points within the body. This then stimulates the nerves and muscles to release natural pain-relieving chemicals that help one heal without painkillers.
4. Homeopathy
While homeopathy might not yet be widely recognized as a field of medicine the world over, there is a growing number of believers who swear by it. Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of diluting natural substances to a great extent, thus making it a holistic treatment with no side-effects.
5. Aromatherapy
This mode of alternate healing makes use of essential oils (oils that are extracted from plants). It is believed that inhaling particular oils (via steam or a diffuser) or infusing them into the body (with an aromatherapy massage or adding a few drops to your bath) helps alleviate pain, stress, insomnia, depression and other mental and physical disorders.
6. Yoga
This ancient Indian technique of keeping the body and mind in sync has gained immense popularity the world over and is widely practiced in Western nations too. It involves physical aspects such as correct posture, stretching and breathing exercises but also has a spiritual side to it involving meditation and visualization .
7. Hypnotherapy
Some people are still a bit wary of this method of healing, but hypnotherapy – putting the patient in a deep state of relaxation in order to access their subconscious thoughts, beliefs and memories – does have its fair share of followers.
It is believed that our actions/ fears/ ailments are a direct result of our subconscious. Hence by seeking the root of the problem, we can change unwanted behaviours and cure deep-seated traumas such as depression, anxiety, phobias and addictions.
