Top 10 Natural Alternatives for Mental Health Everyone Will Love

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Do ever-rising health care costs keep you from seeking professional help? While there’s no substitute for professional care, Mother Nature offers many natural alternatives for mental health that often go overlooked. These natural solutions focus on promoting emotional balance and mental wellness without the side effects sometimes associated with pharmaceuticals. You can combine them with other conventional treatments to create a comprehensive wellness plan or use them as a standalone treatment. But first, you have to find the ones that are best for you, so let’s take a look.

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What Are Natural Alternatives for Mental Health?

Natural alternatives are non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive treatments or practices derived from nature,  aimed at improving health and well-being. These alternatives often prioritize holistic approaches, focusing on the balance between the mind, body, and environment. They are commonly used as substitutes or complements to conventional treatments, especially in areas such as mental health, chronic pain, or general wellness.

The Benefits of Natural, Holistic Approaches to Mental Health

Despite the money U.S. citizens spend on health care, they have a lower life expectancy and a higher rate of chronic disease than many comparably wealthy nations. Much of the problem is cultural, from how the country administers such services to the highly individualistic mindsets that compel many to work around the clock despite the negative effects on their well-being.

While it’s impossible for you as an individual to change the larger culture, you can take better charge of your health. It begins by recognizing the reality of being human and using natural, holistic approaches to manage disease and mental distress. Such treatments have decided advantages, including:

• Free to use: You don’t have to pay a monthly premium or copay to take a hike.
• Accessible to anyone: You don’t need an income to do many of the natural alternative remedies on this list.
• All-ages care: These techniques are equally effective for toddlers and older adults with the right modifications.
• Convenient: Yes, you can try these exercises at home if you want to improve your mental health and well-being.

8 Natural Alternatives for Mental Health: Activities to Nurture Mental Health and Well-Being

How can you ease anxiety and other mental health symptoms naturally? Here are eight natural alternatives for mental health that can nurture your mind and body.

1. Gardening

Gardening gets you moving outdoors, and the combination of activity and fresh air is a powerful antidepressant. New research shows people who do moderate exercise for at least two hours per day can ease depression symptoms. Nature is so powerful that many studies also found that simply gazing at pictures of natural scenes can lower stress levels.

This holistic natural alternative to mental health care becomes even more effective when you combine it with mindfulness. As you nurture vegetable garden seeds and plants as well as vibrant flower plants within your garden, you may find yourself captivated by the mysteries of the ongoing life cycle. You can also get creative, building a meditation garden where you can sit and achieve inner Zen.

The options in the garden are endless, and that’s what makes it so beautiful.

2. Mindful Walking

Sure, you could lace up your sneakers and take a stroll. However, making it a mindful walk is even better to maximize nature’s healing benefits. Spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh describes how uniting movement and mindfulness through this activity can renew your appreciation for the miracle of your body and all life here on Earth.

You can take a mindful walk anywhere, even indoors if the weather isn’t ideal. However, this practice is most powerful if you can find a beautiful natural location to bathe in nature’s healing touch.

3. Dance

Brain magic happens when you combine physical movement with focused concentration, such as when following complex dance steps. Recent studies confirm earlier ones that show social dancing improves cognition more effectively than walking on a treadmill.

You can do this alternative mental health activity with a partner to deepen your bond. A moonlight waltz by the bay can work romantic wonders in your relationship. The benefits of belly dancing will also surprise you.

4. Animal Therapy

Do you have a pet? More than half of Americans do — probably for a good reason. Playing with four-legged friends is an excellent alternative treatment for improved mental health and well-being.

Research shows dogs in particular can nurture their owners through tough mental health crises and get them more physically active. Whether the improvement in mental state comes from activity or interacting with the animal is unknown, but evidence shows it works.

5. Art Therapy

You don’t have to be the next Picasso to benefit from art therapy. For example, anyone can create a mood board by snipping magazine photos or using a tool like Canva, where no talent is necessary.

Some types of art you might enjoy as natural mental health alternatives include:

• Drawing
• Charcoal rubbings
• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Knitting and needlework

6. Support Groups

Humans are innately social, so connecting with others often helps you find solutions to challenging problems. It also creates a sense that you are not alone.

You can find support groups for nearly every life circumstance and health condition. If you have something rare, try searching for online support — more people may share your disorder than you think.

7. Yoga

Yoga is the ultimate mind-body exercise that anyone can do. It’s a fabulous alternative remedy for trauma recovery and chronic pain, and there’s a style suitable for those with mobility challenges, including chair-based flows.

Those who like a fast-paced, sweaty workouts can try power yoga, Ashtanga or vinyasa. If you prefer a gentler, more relaxing experience, yin and restorative yoga offer ooey-gooey goodness you can do seated on the mat.

You can get 50% off your online yoga membership here.

8. Guided Meditations

Mindfulness meditation can be intimidating at first. Try it — set a timer for a minute and focus only on your breath. It seemed longer than you thought, didn’t it?

Many people begin their meditation journey with guided versions. Get comfy, close your eyes, and sink into one of the many free recordings available on YouTube to adjust your mood and mindset.

Try It Now: Online Meditation

9. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a natural healing for anxiety that uses natural plant extracts, primarily in the form of essential oils, to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This practice has been used for centuries across various cultures to treat a wide range of ailments, but it is especially popular today for managing stress, anxiety, and improving mood.

Aromatherapy primarily works through the sense of smell and skin absorption. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and impact the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center. This interaction has been shown to influence emotional states, such as reducing anxiety, calming nerves, or lifting mood.

Applied topically, essential oils are absorbed through the skin and can provide localized relief, such as relaxation of muscles, and even enter the bloodstream to have systemic effects.

Some popular essential oils for anxiety areL

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Chamomile
• Bergamot
• Ylang-Ylang

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10. Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure are ancient healing practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that have been used for over 2,000 years. These therapies focus on the body’s energy, known as “Qi” (pronounced “chee”), which flows through specific pathways called meridians. When Qi is blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to physical or mental health problems. Acupuncture and acupressure aim to restore the natural flow of energy to promote healing and emotional balance.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body, called acupuncture points or acupoints, to balance the body’s energy. These points are believed to be connected to various organs and systems in the body. When you stimulate these points, you regulate the flow of Qi energy which relieves blockages and promote the body’s natural healing processes.

In Western medical terms, acupuncture is thought to work by stimulating nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. This stimulation boosts blood flow and triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, such as endorphins, and neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are involved in mood regulation.

Best of all, acupuncture has been widely researched and found to be effective in treating all kinds of health conditions, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and stress-related disorders. Its calming effects make it a popular natural alternative for mental health care.

Grab all of your favourite accupressure tools on the Anxiety Gone Store.

Improving Mental Health and Well-Being Through Nature

While there’s no substitute for professional care, you can get lasting relief through natural alternatives for mental health. Mother Nature’s healing touch can improve your mental health and well-being without unwanted side effects. Try these 10 relaxation techniques the next time you’re feeling anxiety or add them into your self-care routine to maintain your mental health.