There are various approaches to addiction recovery. Some prefer a more traditional approach and use cognitive behavioral therapy, and others are more holistic and artistic. Recovery is a lifelong journey. Therefore, the ways in which you choose to find healing should be the one that works best for your lifestyle. Art and yoga therapy, although untraditional, can be just as impactful to one’s recovery as other traditional approaches.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is therapy through the use of art. For some people, it can be difficult to find the words to describe their thoughts and feelings. Art can provide a non-verbal avenue to express those emotions and find healing. In addiction treatment, it is vital to communicate one’s issues. There are numerous art forms that can help individuals convey their experiences and emotions. These include the following:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Acting
- Dancing
- Writing poetry
- Creating music
Those who are recovering from addiction or substance use disorder can find solace in using art to say things that they may not feel comfortable speaking about in group or individual therapy sessions. Addiction recovery is a personal experience, and there are many reasons why art therapy can be more beneficial than other kinds of therapy.
Art therapy is ideal for those who:
- Have unresolved trauma that is uncomfortable to talk about out loud
- Have underlying conditions that make it challenging to verbalize their feelings
- Have poor communication skills
What is Yoga Therapy?
People who are in recovery often have some type of trauma that influenced their substance use in the first place. Yoga therapy can be used to heal the body and provide tranquility to a person. Traumatic events in one’s life can cause them to lose autonomy. Individuals can sometimes feel as if they are living outside of their own bodies. With yoga therapy, a person can learn to become more in tune with their body and feel more like themself.
Yoga is way more than stretching. Yoga therapy can help prevent relapse, and it can create lifelong and healthy habits. In addition, yoga therapy can encourage better sleep habits that may have been disturbed by frequent drug or alcohol use. It can also increase energy levels and improve eating habits. When people are feeling better because their diet and rest are better, it can lead to better results in their recovery. When used in addition to other treatment options, results can be significantly better.
Benefits of Art and Yoga Therapy in Recovery
No matter what you are working on in your recovery, art and yoga therapy have many benefits. When recovering from a substance use disorder or mental health issue, art and yoga therapy are options to consider. Recovery is not a short process, and these forms of therapy are both beneficial in aiding long-term recovery. In addition to recovery, here are some ways that art and yoga therapy can be valuable.
Reduced Intensity of Cravings
As time progresses, those who are in recovery will be able to control their cravings better. Yoga and art therapy can help restore the body’s natural production of dopamine. Everyone has a creative side. When an individual who struggles with addiction is given a creative outlet, it can give their mind a place to be busy. People who suffer from addiction can think about substances often. Art and yoga can redirect that focus and provide an alternative coping mechanism.
Improved Focus and Awareness
Art and yoga therapy can help individuals become more aware of their bodies and the world around them. Yoga, specifically, includes a lot of slow and intentional movements. These movements allow you to think about every aspect of your body and how everything is working to keep you in position. Building this deep understanding of one’s body can help one feel more comfortable opening up about their addictions and triggers.
A Safe Outlet for Painful Feelings
Emotions such as grief, shame, and anger can be too complicated to put into words. Art and yoga therapy provide a safe and healthy outlet to place those feelings. Sometimes it can feel impossible to put those negative feelings into words that make sense. When someone struggles to use their words, it can be helpful to place those feelings in another art form.
A Break From Talk Therapy
There are so many words in the English language that putting feelings into words can be more complicated than it should be. Traditional therapy options can feel like nothing but talking, and a break from talking might be just what an individual needs to release their repressed feelings.
Stress Management
Art and yoga therapy are known to be very calming. In some ways, both of these activities can be compared to meditation. When completing a yoga exercise, individuals are encouraged to focus their attention on things that are similar to meditation. They may learn to regulate their breathing, clear their minds, and listen to their bodies. These principles are all critical to dealing with stress in real life. When an individual can work with their body to quiet down everything around them, it can be valuable to the work that is being done in other parts of their recovery process.
Preventing Relapse
Art and yoga are holistic therapies that can be continued even after treatment is complete. In both of these therapies, individuals learn ways to redirect their minds from the emotions and triggers that can lead to substance use. In creating art and practicing yoga, individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms that can help overcome obstacles that come up in their lives.
Art and Yoga Therapy in Glendora, CA, Can Help You
Glendora Recovery Center is dedicated to helping our patients overcome their addictions and regain control of their lives. We offer art and yoga therapy to the residents of Glendora, CA, and surrounding areas. Our group of trained specialists is here to help. Contact us today to get started on your journey to a peaceful and sober life.
