Last post, I shared my thoughts on therapy and how it was a good fit for me. But each of us is so beautifully unique that perhaps an alternative treatment would work best for you.
Rather than trying to describe all the alternatives myself, I found a very thorough article by Verywell Health. Their team comprises over 150 board-certified physicians and they don’t published AI created content.
Please take a few minutes to read their article, “6 Ways to Improve Mental Health Without Therapy.”
Not only did I choose therapy, but I also practiced almost every item on their list! Okay, I wanted to cover all my bases! Seriously, every idea is helpful and you will find the combination you need to fuel your journey on the path of health and healing.
They also list information on apps, when to see a therapist, counseling vs. therapy, and organizations that offer peer group support. It is full of excellent resources and I hope you check it out.
Please Don’t Get Stuck
In looking at self-help, I want to offer a small caution. Believe me when I say, your belly button is fine. What do I mean by that? Sometimes we can get caught up in so much self-analysis that we get stuck. I have heard it called Analysis Paralysis. There is also a term called navel-gazing where we fall into excessive contemplation of ourselves and completely lose perspective. This is where therapy helped get me off the hamster wheel of negative overthinking. My belly button was fine, but I needed to embrace the world around me again.
My Pet Therapy Story
One thing that helped bring me out of myself was adopting a kitten. VeryWell Health calls this Pet Therapy. I call it a gift from heaven.
My husband and I have always had dogs. Over the years, we have enjoyed a lovely Pug, two delightful Boston Terriers, and a quirky Chug (chihuahua and pug mix.)
During the time my challenges hit a fever pitch, we shared an alley with several neighbors, including one that liked to feed the roaming cats. She also helped find homes for rescued kittens. I made a casual comment that I would love to have a cat to which my husband responded, “No way is that going to happen!”
As my depression deepened, I believe God offered me the light of hope through a tiny ball of orange fur. One day, out of the blue, my husband says, “I’ve been researching cozy mysteries*, and I think having a cat might be cool.” This could only be the work of heavenly persuasion. Slightly suspicious of this new found opinion, I said, “Well, if you see our neighbor in the alley sometime you might ask her if she has any kittens.”
Not even a week later, Grant wakes me up at 6:00 a.m., says he saw our neighbor, and she had just received a kitten: a tiny, not yet 6-week-old, found huddled with his mom and brother, who had not survived.
Rusty came home with us and I’m not sure if I saved him or if he saved me! BTW, Grant and Rusty have become best buddies and have their own special early morning routine! You can see photos and read more of our story here.
God knows exactly who, what, and when we need something. Believe in His power to lead you in the best way forward. Keep an open mind and an open heart on your path to health and wholeness. Proverbs 3:5-6 promises us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
*My husband is Grant of TameYourBook.com. He creates illustrated writing advice and also wrote The Trellis Method Writing System.
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