IT is estimated that in the past week, one in six people will have experienced a common mental health problem including anxiety, feelings of depression and low mood. Despite conversations surrounding mental health and how to cope improving significantly, many people are still left feeling unsatisfied with their progress.
For Italian-born PhD graduate and holistic psychotherapist Annalisa Manca, merging traditional with unconventional approaches has formed the basis of her 'life-changing' practises.
During her study towards a PhD in Medical Education at Queen's University Belfast, Annalisa says she realised that yoga isn't only a physical and spiritual practice, but also a system of psychology which can help people truly manage their wellbeing. Her approach to wellbeing merges the two approaches together.
"Yoga is a system of psychology, and in this sense it really is a helpful way to develop an authentic connection with our own body," she argues.
"This connection, this deep understanding of our body - how our body communicates with us, what it communicates through what we call 'symptoms' - is the most important part of our journey towards maintaining or developing mental wellness and healing from trauma."
Studies have suggested that Annalisa's belief in a mind-body approach to wellbeing and healing the body after trauma is well placed.
"Stressful emotions, when not dealt with or 'processed', decrease immunity and make us heal more slowly," she explains. "Many studies have explored the positive effect of mindfulness, mindful movement - such as yoga - and breathwork on our mind and body.
"These practises can move our nervous system out of the 'fight or flight' mode, which is associated with stress, bringing us back to 'rest and digest' mode, lowering our heart rate and blood pressure, by activating the vagus nerve and increasing emotional wellbeing."
With years of practice as a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, Annalisa offers her clients integrative, holistic approaches to finding the right balance between their mind and body, creating a nurturing environment for future personal development.
"My focus is to help strengthen the mind-body connection by getting to know the language of the body, understanding how, and what, the body is communicating with us, but also learning strategies and tools to return and remain in the optimal 'rest and digest' mode," explains Annalisa.
"Whether through psychotherapy, yoga, or both, the goal is to work together to tap into our body's innate ability to heal past trauma."
Life struggles and discomfort are the gateway for inspiration and new beginnings, she says; "Like storms, they will pass, and make space for the sun to shine."
Annalisa says that discomfort and symptoms are how our body communicates with us, and that we must "feel our feelings", give ourselves time and space to do so, in order to heal from the inside-out and foster a new beginning.
"In my work with clients a big part of what we do is learning to regulate our autonomic responses or, in other words, to nurture the nervous system," she says.
"It's not commonly known that trauma is stored in the body, which is why you cannot resolve it just by talking about it, reading self-help books, or going for quick-fix 'detoxes' (which can actually be detrimental to one's mental health).
"But you can heal trauma by developing knowledge about how your nervous system works, what is behind the symptoms and with daily mind-body, somatic practices aimed at developing a constructive, collaborative communication between mind and body. And of course seeking the help of a trusted, professional mental health practitioner."
Annalisa, who also holds a pain reprocessing therapy certificate, says she has witnessed how clients' chronic pain and other persistent symptoms - including fatigue, back pain, migraine and IBS - could be connected to trauma.
She is, however, clear that there is no 'quick-fix'.
"I'm not going to give you 'secret formulas', or pre-made 'strategies' that will bring you to your desired outcome. These don't exist," she warns.
"But you can be supported in your new beginning, in your own growth through expansion, in living your personal experiences fully and safely so that you can look back and gain renewed life force from them."
Annalisa says she feels called to help people going through tough times. "I'm lucky to be inspired everyday by the people in my life," she continues. "From my yoga clients, who, no matter what, turn up on their mat to get into their body every day, to my therapy clients, who work their hearts out in therapy, willing to understand themselves, to show me their vulnerability, and battling the stigma attached to mental health."
She recommends prioritising self-care, asking for help and being patient with yourself into your daily routine.
"Try to approach yourself with self-compassion and acceptance: what your body did, throughout your life, is to adapt, to transform in adaptive ways to your environment. This is a sign of growth," she says.
"Life should feel manageable and enjoyable. Every human being should be able to manage, nurture - even gently - and positively challenge their mind and body."
