There are few experiences as cathartic and transformative as watching a movie. There’s something about the combination of images and sounds that can have a profound effect on our state of being. It’s almost as if we leave our worries at the door, sit back in our seats, and let someone else take control for an hour or two. Cinema can transport us to other worlds, introduce us to new characters who change our lives forever, and provide us with happy endings when things seem bleak.
Movies can be much more than just entertainment; they can be healing. When you’re in recovery, sitting down to watch a movie can allow you to explore your emotions from a distance, gain insight into your current situation, or simply provide temporary escapism from your anxieties and stresses.
What Is Cinema Therapy?
Cinema therapy (sometimes also referred to as film therapy) is a form of psychotherapy that uses film screenings in a clinical setting as a mode of treatment. The theory behind cinema therapy is that watching films can be a healing and transformative experience, especially when a film resonates with you on an emotional level.
There are many styles of cinema therapy. However, most use the power of film to help people work through issues such as trauma, grief, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. According to the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, self-help films work as a valuable tool in treatment.
Why Does Watching Movies Make Us Feel Better?
Watching a movie can be beneficial to our overall well-being. It can help to lift your mood. Films can make us laugh, inspire us, or touch our hearts deeply. We can also cry when watching a movie, which is a completely normal response that can be beneficial.
When you’re going through a tough time, it can be challenging to find time and space to fully explore your emotions. Cinema can allow you to explore your emotions from a distance, which can help you gain some insight into your current situation.
Why Is Cinema Effective for Healing?
Cinema therapy can be a form of art therapy, a type of therapy that uses creativity, including art, dance, music, and writing, as a way to express emotions and process trauma. It works because it has a direct impact on our physical and emotional well-being.
Watching a movie activates both hemispheres of our brains, giving us a chance to engage with both the left and right sides fully. This helps us to process information like symbols, metaphors, and symbolism in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Cinema can also stimulate the production of our feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. These hormones help to lower our stress levels and make us feel more relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to process painful feelings and stay on the path to wellness.
The path to recovery can be challenging when you are feeling overwhelmed by real life. The Guest House offers cinema therapy to help combat your stresses and widen the path to your own wellness. Allowing yourself to connect to characters in a movie can help you process painful feelings that you may be experiencing in your own life and give you a chance to share your emotions safely. If you are searching for a new way to live a happier, healthier life, then you owe it to yourself to explore a variety of treatment options. Call (855) 483-7800.