December 28th, 2021
By Mia Barnes
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
No matter what kind of ailment you’re trying to heal — or even if you simply want to find a bit more balance and alignment in your life — there are so many ways that you can nourish the mind and the body.
If one of your new year resolutions is to take a more holistic approach to your health, you’ll want to try out something new from this list of mind-body therapies.
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While some of these are official therapies, there are other methods that you can use in therapeutic ways to help ease a variety of concerns both within the mind and the body. The body and mind are inherently connected as a part of one system, and it’s important to focus on the whole system so that you can care for every part of yourself. Here are just a few of the amazing mind-body therapies out there that you can try out.
1. Yoga
You may already have yoga at the top of your list, and it makes sense. Yoga is essentially the poster child for mind-body therapeutic methods. Between focusing on the breath, using movement to calm the mind and ending on a meditative practice, who wouldn’t want to get a little zen in the name of healing?
2. Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is great for all kinds of muscle, joint and bone ailments, but it can also be a great choice for calming the mind and creating a serene environment for your healing journey. Although there are plenty of ways to practice water healing on your own, there are also plenty of guided programs you can explore for a little more support.
3. Tai Chi
Tai chi is a specific form of Chinese martial arts that follows the flow of energy throughout the body. Much like yoga and other practices, it involves both the mind and the body, and has the power to bring a sense of healing and peace throughout your system, like a form of moving meditation.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is definitely a more solitary experience which focuses on stillness, which makes sense considering that it involves a bunch of needles sticking into you. Even though this might seem scary or painful, it’s actually an extremely calming experience with the power to heal all kinds of bodily ailments, as well as mental ones. Acupuncture focuses on the flow of energy through the body, much like tai chi, making it a well-rounded and calming experience.
5. Dance
If stillness isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of ways to get moving with your therapy, and dance is one of them. Whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve hit the dance floor a few times in your life before, letting loose with a bit of dance can feel amazing for the body and mind, no matter where you are. You can even find specific spaces for dance therapy if you want a bit more guidance.
6. Meditation
Meditation is something that anyone can do anywhere, which is a great way to get started on your mind body therapy journey. There are so many ways to meditate, including taking just two minutes out of your day to be still and mindful. Meditation can also go hand in hand with many other therapies that you can explore.
7. Martial Arts
Although this one is a little more general, many different forms of martial arts can be both mentally and physically cathartic. Not only are they great for getting a bit of exercise, there’s a sense of order and purpose in martial arts that many people find soothing and even sacred. Finding one that matches up with your goals and personality can be a great experience.
8. Nature Walks
Getting outside can bring so many benefits for your mental and physical health that nature walking or even spending any time outside can be fantastic for you. From boosting your immune function to lifting your mood, being outside doing anything can be extremely therapeutic. You can even combine this with other practices like yoga or meditation.
9. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can feel amazing and luxurious, but there is a therapeutic element that can actually benefit your health in many ways. From working out muscles and knots that need a bit of pressure to bring you a bit of mental relaxation space and stillness, getting a massage can be a genuine form of self care.
10. Cryotherapy
If you love the cold, cryotherapy could be for you. Cryotherapy is all about using cold temperatures as a way to heal ailments of the body, and it can be used for a variety of purposes — from back pain to skin concerns. However, this can also be a mental journey that tests your limits, which is why it can be a mind-body experience.
Mind-Body Therapies to Try
There are so many ways to expand the healing power of your body and mind. Whether you want to heal the physical body, your mental ailments or combine them both, you can try everything from yoga to cryotherapy to find the right choice for you. Have you done any of these techniques before?
About the author:
Mia Barnes is an online journalist and Editor in Chief at Body + Mind.
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