Blog
Multiple Modalities
of
Healing
There is more than one way to skin a cat. Variety is the spice of life. The mantra of our society today is this: have options. This is also true in recovery. The way I grow and recover as a peer may be completely different than my peers and vice versa. Thankfully, we live in a time where there are so many wonderful modalities of healing available to explore.
Before I go any further, DISCLAIMER, I am not advocating for any of these modalities. I am simply illustrating the point that as we seek maximum health and wellness in our lives and as we support other peers, that we can have more than a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery in peer work. As they say in A.A., take what you like and leave the rest. One person’s healing modality may not be the right fit for others. Use your own discretion and listen to your own heart and mind as to what works for you. Peer support always honors the inherent dignity and freedom of choice for all peers and never dictates actions of any kind in any direction. It is solely up to each peer to decide what works or doesn’t work for their recovery.
Emotional
- Peer support
- Recording your thoughts and feelings in a journal
- Counseling
- Emotional Freedom Technique
- Tapping
Physical
- Peer support
- Walking, swimming, kickboxing, weightlifting, Qigong or dancing among others
- Regular physical check-up at appropriate markers in your life
- Eating foods that feel good to your body and enhance long-term health and well-being
- Stretching and meditating
Mental
- Peer support
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Small group of like-minded individuals
- 12-step support and/or S.M.A.R.T. recovery
Spiritual
- Reading books about spiritual matters
- Adopting the higher principle of giving back to others as a way to stay healthy and happy.
- Attending services at your house of worship of choice (or not attending).
- Trip to a foreign country of spiritual significance to you
- Taking daily inventory of thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to grow into the new day.
This is a very small sketch of the healing modalities available to us should we choose to embrace any of them, or others not listed here. The point is this: be encouraged in your healing journey that if one modality doesn’t seem to work don’t be afraid to try another and another and another…until you find the one(s) that work(s)!
~ Chris Newcomb
