There are quite a number of topics, ideas, suggestions, and themes we return to again and again throughout this blog. We try to approach these subjects from a variety of angles, of course, because that can be a useful way to help a reader (and we thank you for being a reader of this blog!) absorb various kinds of content over time.
On the other hand, however, there are some topics that we have only touched on a few times—or even a single time. These “one hit wonders,” if you will, have plenty of good information in them, and that information can be useful to you as you work toward better mental health.
In this post, we are going to look back at two of these sorts of blogs to bring them back to the forefront. This is a mini roundup, so we will not explore each topic in depth, but we will link you back to the original blog entries so you can get more information.
Let’s consider third places and color therapy.
First Up: Third Places
In a blog post titled “Do You Have a ‘Third Place’?” we considered the mental health practice of finding a place that is apart from home and work to cultivate positive relationships and a sense of community. Here’s an excerpt:
[T]here is plenty of reason to believe that most people benefit from having a place they enjoy spending time and interacting with others that is neither their workplace nor their home. That location is often called a “third place” or “third space” (names we still think are useful even for those who live and work in the same location). Having a third place in your life is a good way to support your mental health.
What sort of places can be third places? There are plenty of options. We wrote:
A coffee shop. A bookstore or library. A local park or green space. A neighborhood bar. Any of these places can become a third place where people gather, converse, and feel a sense of community. (Of course, we don’t recommend a bar as a good third place for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder.)
Being a part of the unique and friendly culture of a third place means you are helping to build community—and you are also getting the kind of rich social interaction that supports your mental health. Such interaction protects you from loneliness while also offering you the opportunity to rest and recharge.
Do you have a third place in your life? Does the idea intrigue you? We encourage you to consider how spending time with others away from home and work might serve your efforts to sustain good mental health.
No Black and White Answers on Color Therapy
We discuss various kinds of therapy in posts throughout our blog, including (but not limited to) cognitive behavioral therapy and recreational therapy. These and other forms of therapy have been shown over time and via careful research to offer benefits to those who are working to improve their mental health.
But color therapy is a little different. As we discussed in “Considering Color Therapy: Green for Go, Yellow for Caution, or Red for Stop?”, color therapy is not a mainstream approach to therapy. At least not yet. That said, research is ongoing. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:
[T]he jury may still be out on some aspects of color therapy, but its status as an alternative approach to therapy decidedly does not mean there is no evidence in its favor. In fact, folks have been thinking about the connection between colors, moods, and well-being literally for centuries. “Color was used in ancient Egypt, China, and Greece,” reports a WebMD article about color psychology, “to evoke emotions, aid in spiritual practices, and treat a variety of conditions.”
Despite a lack of certainty about the effectiveness of color therapy, the topic is an interesting one—and the effects of various colors are certainly of interest to folks who work in marketing. You can find more information about that—and how it might relate to your mental wellbeing—in the original post.
We Are the Right Place to Help Return the Color to Your Life
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health and maintain those improvements over time.
We do that through a number of different programs. We offer inpatient treatment as well as intensive outpatient care and a virtual program. We are also equipped to address substance use disorders, helping individuals leave drug or alcohol use behind. Our services are available to adults, adolescents, and families.
If you are struggling with a mental health issue, you may be tempted to try to ignore it or to deal with it on your own. Maybe you feel embarrassed or feel as though you do not have time to pursue treatment, or are worried that you will not be able to afford it. Whatever is holding you back, we urge you to set it aside. We are ready to help you renew a sense of balance in your life as you embrace hope once again.
