Most people think that the only way to manage depression and anxiety is through oral treatments. Therapy often comes second because they feel that talking out emotions and thoughts is really not helpful. However, the combination of oral treatments and therapy is seen as truly effective in dealing with these mental health issues. One form of therapy that has been on the rise these days is biofeedback therapy.
What is biofeedback therapy?
For people who have been struggling with depression and anxiety for years may have heard about this alternative approach. However, because it is not as popular as psychotherapy, people think that its results are not impressive and reliable. The good thing now is biofeedback specialist has included this treatment as an option for managing depression and anxiety.
Biofeedback therapy is a technique that teaches you how to control and change involuntary bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate to improve physical and mental health. It may sound intimidating, but the reality is when you are extremely sad or stressed out your body changes. Your breathing is faster, and your heart rate is rapidly increasing. But with biofeedback, you become more aware of these changes in your body. You learn new skills on how to relax your muscles and calm your mind.
How does biofeedback help in managing depression and anxiety?
Biofeedback treats various health issues like asthma, digestive problems, insomnia, and chronic pain. In the past years, more and more studies have shown that this non-invasive technique can also manage depression and anxiety. Since it involves controlling one’s bodily functions, researchers believe that it can also help in alleviating physical symptoms.
Increases Heart Rate Variability
When you are mentally distressed, your heart rate is erratic. You tend to be nervous all of a sudden, even without knowing the cause. When you are depressed or anxious, it is difficult for you to relax. With the help of biofeedback, it monitors your heart rate and guides you on how to increase it. High heart rate variability means you are emotionally well and can easily adapt to stress. The moment you learn how to increase your heart rate variability, it becomes easier for you to control and regulate your emotions.
Relaxes Muscle Tension
Biofeedback also monitors muscle tension. Through electromyography (EMG) sensors, you learn to recognize muscle tension patterns when you are depressed or anxious. Since it provides immediate feedback on muscle activity, it provides you with information that can help you identify signs of muscle tension. Through relaxation exercises and techniques, biofeedback calms your body, resulting in better management of anxiety and depression symptoms.
Promotes Calm Breathing
The best counselors near me all agree that biofeedback does not only monitor heart rate and muscle tension but it also tracks breathing patterns. When breathing patterns are recorded, it provides visual and auditory signs that will guide you to slower and more rhythmic breathing. Once you learn how to do this, it then regulates the nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s response to stress. One of the major benefits of controlled breathing is it reduces the production of stress hormones. It also lowers blood pressure and promotes overall relaxation of the body and mind.
What are the benefits of biofeedback on mental health management?
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health issues many people are dealing with now. In this chaotic world we live in, people seem to take their mental health for granted. With biofeedback, you learn how to control and regulate symptoms that are associated with mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
It reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
During biofeedback, electrical pads are connected to your body. This directly monitors your stress levels and provides instant data about bodily responses like heart rate, breathing patterns, muscle tension, and skin temperature. Once the results come out, the biofeedback specialist can immediately identify what relaxation techniques you need to learn.
Deep breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation are some of the relaxation techniques that can reduce stress and anxiety levels. The key here is to be consistent in order for you to know how to properly control your bodily responses, especially when you are under stress.
It improves sleep quality.
Many mental health issues like depression and anxiety negatively affect sleep. You are either sleeping too much or too little. Your sleeping patterns become unpredictable. Through biofeedback, you are aware of the factors that disrupt your sleep, and you eventually make certain changes. For example, increasing the skin temperature during bedtime promotes better sleep quality. When this happens, you are happier and more focused on doing your daily activities.
It enhances concentration.
Biofeedback also helps in improving focus and concentration. When you are depressed or anxious, it is hard for your mind to focus. But once you learn how to control and regulate your body’s response when in distress, you can easily deal with racy thoughts and impulsive behavior. You become more productive and accomplished. Talk to the best counselors near me to know more about this benefit.
It increases self-empowerment.
One of the reasons you avoid doing the things you want is the lack of confidence. It aggravates because of your mental health issues like depression. With biofeedback, you become aware that you need to do something to manage your mental health. You recognize the signs when you are under stress, so you immediately manage it with relaxation techniques.
If you want to talk to a biofeedback specialist to help manage your depression or anxiety, visit Mindhisft Psychological Services. Learn more about their therapy and counseling sessions on their website. You can also contact them at (714) 584-9700 to schedule an appointment.
