The main objectives of occupational therapy in mental health are to prevent disabilities associated with mental, physical, and sensory disorders that limit the ability to engage in activities within social, familial, and work environments. Additionally, it aims to restore residual capacities to achieve the highest degree of independence and readjustment to the environment.

Yoga
Yoga is a method of conscious self-regulation that leads to a harmonious integration of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of human personality.

Almost all yogic breathing techniques aim to extend exhalation and increase breath retention. This leads to such strong training of the autonomic nervous system that the heart rate decreases to very low levels, even when the individual is not practicing yoga, as the general breathing pattern has been profoundly altered. Consequently, breath adjustment is likely one of the reasons for yoga’s effectiveness in increasing feelings of relaxation and positive emotions. Mentally, changes have been detected in brain waves measured by electroencephalogram, along with inhibition of the posterior hypothalamic area, which optimizes sympathetic responses to stressful stimuli and restores reflexive autonomic regulatory mechanisms associated with stress. During practice, areas responsible for fear, aggression, and anger are inhibited, while centers related to rewarding leisure in the mid-anterior brain are stimulated, leading to states of happiness and pleasure.

Massage Therapy
One of the main benefits of massage is the relief of stress. Symptoms of stress are increasingly common due to social situations and lifestyle. Relaxing the body helps the mind escape, resulting in reduced stress and anxiety, including physical symptoms such as elevated heart rate, shortness of breath, or muscle tension.

Art
Art allows individuals to reclaim unique aspects of themselves, break through individual isolation, and create connections with a community, transforming the “passive patient” position into active participation. This produces effects on individual, institutional, and community levels, enabling the deconstruction of prejudices and misconceptions surrounding “madness” and its consequent resocialization process.

Thermotherapy
Certain physical and mental ailments can diminish and improve through thermotherapy. This technique involves applying thermal energy or heat to the body to enhance well-being and promote health. Heat tends to spread throughout the body via conduction, convection, and radiation.

Maximum Well-Being: The application of heat to the body induces well-being. Total relaxation occurs, lowering stress and nervousness levels, making it a good therapy during periods of continuous stress.

Body Image
Physical Training
Physical activity is a highly effective complementary aid for preventing and treating psychological imbalances.

The endorphins released by our brain during and after physical exercise induce a state of greater happiness and emotional well-being. It is highly recommended for cases of depression or anxiety, as it helps reduce symptoms of sadness, generates a sense of relaxation, and positively impacts the individual’s quality of life.

Gardening
Beneficial for Mental Health
The benefits of gardening for mental health are so significant that it can help individuals with mental health issues cope with their conditions. According to a study published in 2013 in the Mental Health Review Journal, gardening can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Reduces Tension and Stress: A study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands in 2010 concluded that gardening can combat stress, even more effectively than other relaxing leisure activities. During the study, two groups of people performed a stressful task. One group was instructed to read indoors, while the other practiced gardening outdoors for 30 minutes. The results showed that the gardening group had better moods and lower levels of the stress hormone (cortisol) compared to the reading group.

Baking
This therapy also offers significant benefits for reducing stress, increasing concentration, stimulating creativity, and helping individuals express their feelings. It facilitates teamwork and interpersonal relationships.