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There is an abundance of research that shows the effectiveness of mind/body practices to help modulate mood and promote a sense of calm and well-being. It’s true that people who are battling symptoms of severe depression may first need to jumpstart recovery with a prescription for psychiatric medication before they can muster the energy and motivation to pursue healthy lifestyle routines that promote healing and positivity. But once the effects of antidepressants begin to “kick in” and depressive symptoms are less severe, the mood-lifting, body-regulating impact of integrating body awareness practices, like breathing techniques, guided meditation, yoga, QiGong, and Feldenkrais, is remarkable.
There are many techniques used to treat depression today. A successful outcome, however, is ideally achieved by taking an integrative approach. Medication may be necessary to make symptoms less intense, psychotherapy can play an important role in exploring and resolving emotional roadblocks, alternative techniques like ketamine may be called for if drugs are insufficient in decreasing the severity of symptoms, and body/mind practices provide a host........