In addition to therapy, any or all of the following practices can add to your emotional quality of life and support your mental health:
1. Groups. Meeting others with similar life experiences can provide support and clarify issues.
2. Meditation. Sitting with your thoughts can increase your capacity for insight and self-awareness.
3. Bodywork. Treatments such as massage and Reiki can bring to consciousness buried feelings and traumas stored in the body.
4. Eating/exercise. A healthy diet helps clarify your thinking and exercise helps relieve mild to moderate depression so that you can confront challenging issues.
5. Artistic/creative pursuits. These soul-nourishing activities promote healing by opening access to wiser places inside.
6. Dream tracking. Dreams bring up unconscious or semiconscious material to consider and process.
7. Affirmations/positive self-talk. Such practices can boost your self-esteem and the confidence you’ll need to confront issues.
8. Relevant reading. Books and articles can augment the work you’re doing with your therapist.
9. Volunteering. Helping others who are struggling can increase your compassion for and tolerance of your own struggles.
10. Time in nature. Being in nature can bring a sense of peace and appreciation that promotes healing.
Joan Ferdinand Keleher MS, LCPC 