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Holistic Treatment for Depression

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Holistic Treatment for Depression. Life is full of emotional roller coasters. We all go through highs and lows. It’s not just normal, it’s perfectly human to feel happy some days and sad others.

But depression is more than just a case of the blues. Depression is when the feeling of sadness or despair doesn’t go away and when that feeling noticeably starts to affect your daily life – from your work to your sleep, to your free time, and everything in between.

If you feel depressed most of the time during the week or if the activities you like doing aren’t fun for you anymore, you might be suffering from depression.

Depression looks like a lot of different things for different people. Some of its signs include:

Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
Sleepiness or lack of energy even after getting enough rest
Not eating enough or overeating
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Feeling worthless or guilty even when you haven’t done anything wrong
Feeling physically and mentally restless and agitated, or feeling very sluggish
Thinking about death or wanting to be dead

Depression has been called many things – a brain disease, a mental health issue, a disorder. At The Sanctuary we believe that depression is actually a symptom, not the cause or source, of something deeper.

The Sanctuary’s holistic depression treatment center is a safe, welcoming space for people from all different religious and cultural backgrounds. We’re here to help guide you as you unearth your deepest traumas and rediscover your truest self.

Depression is real. And so too is recovery from depression.

What is Non-12 Step Treatment and How Can it Reduce Depression?

A non-12 Step program is any program that does not follow the 12 Steps. Sometimes the words “alternative” or “holistic” are used to describe non-12 Step programs.

You may already be familiar with some holistic therapies. Many rehab facilities across the US offer complimentary sessions, like yoga or meditation, alongside conventional treatments.

Depression affects our bodies on a cellular level, impacting all parts of our being – the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual or energetic. The most effective holistic treatment for depression must include healing on all of these levels.

“When we work on all of those aspects concurrently, a person’s chances of actually recovering and getting better are markedly improved as opposed to working on a symptom,” says The Sanctuary’s founder, Dean Taraborelli.

Who is at Risk for Depression?

Life is unpredictable. And because of this unpredictability, most of us will actually experience short-term symptoms of depression at some point. But, if your depressive symptoms last more than two weeks, you may have clinical depression.

There are many social and biochemical risk factors that increase our chances of developing depression. These include, but aren’t limited to:

Life events: Any major changes, even positive ones like getting a promotion or having a baby, can trigger depression. Depression has been linked to life stressors like moving, graduating, starting a new job, losing a job, marriage, divorce, and retirement.
Genetics: There is now scientific evidence to suggest that depression can be passed down from family members. If any of your immediate family members has or has had depression, your chances of getting depression are 25% higher than someone without a family history of depression.
Age: The median age for depression is 32 years old, according to the World Health Organization. This means half of all people who experience depression will have their first episode by the time they’re 32.
Gender: Studies show that women are twice as likely as men to have depression. However, this may be because women are more likely to seek help for depression.
Other illnesses: People who have serious or chronic medical issues, like anxiety, ADHD, cancer, heart disease, or chronic pain, are more susceptible to depression. Some medications can also trigger depressive episodes.
Alcohol or drug addiction: If someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol they are at a higher risk for also developing depression. Sometimes depression causes people to misuse substances; other times heavy use of alcohol or drugs can trigger depressive episodes.

We now know that if we have unresolved trauma and/or physical imbalances, such as gut inflammation, our risk for experiencing the long-term effects of depression is higher.

Is Depression a Life Sentence?

Even though it might feel like there’s no way out, especially on the darkest days, depression does not have to be lifelong. In fact, we believe depression is merely a symptom of a more deeply held problem.

Healing from depression is not just as simple as being happier or “getting over it.” Holistic treatment for depression begins by acknowledging that this state of being has an underlying, often unseen, cause. Sometimes that cause is biological. Other times its unresolved trauma buried in our subconscious.

Either way, the cause for your depression can be found, addressed, and resolved. A recovered life from depression is a very real possibility.

Alternative Treatment Therapies for Depression

Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants (like SSRIs) talk therapy (like CBT) or a combination of both. At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we recognize the importance and oftentimes the need for both medication and psychotherapy. But we don’t just stop there.

Our holistic approach for treating depression draws on conventional and alternative therapies to create a complete, transformational experience. Our holistic therapies include:

Energy healing
Massage, trauma release, and bodywork
Yoga
Daily mindfulness practice
Community activities
Connection with nature
Organic supplements for brain health
Recovery-focused nutrition planning
Evidence-based education on the science of recovery and energy medicine

These science-based practices are integrated to create a continuous, personalized and highly effective treatment program.

How Can Diet Help You With Depression?

We know that the food we eat sometimes greatly affects our moods. Science proves this. So it also makes sense that what we eat can increase or decrease our risk for depression, as well as our actual depressive symptoms.

Studies show that eating a lot of highly processed foods – think your favorite fast food or go-to “guilty pleasure” – can increase inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation in the body is intimately linked to your propensity to feel anxious or depressed. Eating more foods that fight inflammation and encourage health, then, can lower biological risk factors for depression.

A depression-healing diet consists of whole, phytonutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods such as:

Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges
Vegetables, especially leafy greens like spinach and kale
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines
Whole, unmodified grains
Olive and coconut oils

Conversely, these “fake foods” trigger inflammatory effects that can promote depression:

Red meat and processed meat like cold cuts
Refined grains
Sugar
Dairy products
Alcohol

What Impact Does Regular Exercise Have on Depression?

Exercise is an easy way for us to activate the release of endorphins, or “happy hormones,” inside our bodies. Exercise improves our physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. Regular physical activity and exercise can help regulate your mood, establish healthy routines, and boost your self-confidence.

But exercise alone will not solve the root cause of depression. Movement can help soothe the effects of depression and release the trauma that causes it, but it’s only one piece of the larger picture.

Is Holistic Treatment for Depression Really Possible?

You don’t have to live the rest of your life battling with depression or taking medication to cope with your symptoms. The Sanctuary at Sedona provides world-class treatment for people who are suffering from depression.

Holistic treatment for depression is not only possible, it’s also effective. It’s helped countless people discover and reclaim their most authentic selves and live a depression-free life. Some former clients of The Sanctuary had this to say about their recovery experience:

“I felt heard no matter my request. I felt like our individual programs were tailored to our individual needs. There was no one that I felt didn’t care about us all. There was no judgment no matter the issue and no feelings too big for the staff to deal with, and all were dealt with with respect and love. The food was out-of-this-world and healthy – a first for many of us. There was a broad spectrum of activities and lots of real education and tools to help us when we leave here. The grounds are beautiful, the setting peaceful, the amenities were more than adequate. I can’t find words to express the wonder of this place and its people. I wish the world could experience 30 days here.”

“A holistic recovery center, not in name only but firmly founded in holistic practices where no integrative component is ignored. Equal time and energy spent on the body, mind, and soul, making full integrative recovery a real probability. (A place) where miracles happen.”

“I was deeply appreciative of the way its integrative programs put me back in touch with my heart and the magic of life.”

Holistic Depression Treatment: Take Action Today

Depression doesn’t have just one cause. We know that the reasons for depression are highly individual, and the type and severity of symptoms drastically differ from person to person. This means there isn’t one, standard solution for depression.

The Sanctuary’s holistic treatment for depression could be the place for you to find healing if:

You’ve tried conventional therapies, like the 12 Steps or counseling, but still, feel like you need more
You’ve been struggling with depression for a long time now and don’t see a way out
You’re interested to see how science-based holistic therapies can help you
You want to press the reset button and reconnect with your true self
You’re ready for an impactful, life-long change

If this sounds like you, it may be time to consider holistic treatment for depression.

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