Meditation may be buried in the farthest corner of your mind when you enter a detoxification program. Following on from the initial treatment plan and as you head toward more long-term goals, meditation as a means to sustain mindfulness, inner peace, and calm reflection may be encouraged by your support counselor. Your first instinct may not have been wrong, however. Meditation and addiction are, in essence, in opposition to each other. Meditation, through the act of concentrated breathing exercises and stillness, encourages us to think about or reflect on the right now. On the other hand, addiction makes us tune out of the present in favor of an altered state. Unfortunately, that altered state is often harmful, as the drive to maintain that state and enter into a place of escape happens via toxic substances that wreak havoc on our health and relationships.
Mental Clarity
Meditation has the potential to teach us how to make better choices concerning our health. Early on in recovery, we may often get cravings. By learning to focus on our thoughts and desires, accepting them with neither guilt nor judgment, we are in a better position to master those urges. Meditation, therefore, teaches us that we are not responsible for the thoughts that enter our head; however, we are accountable for acting on them. In this way, we become more committed to the journey of recovery while acknowledging addictive thoughts, proactively dealing with them.
Emotional Balance
Mood swings, while ongoing during the early phase of recovery, may still come and go. This is especially true when placed under stress. Environmental triggers often influence negative thoughts and emotions. Meditation teaches us to quietly focus the mind on a sound, word, and breath. Over time and with consistent practice, it is possible to attain a sense of balance during recovery.
It may even be possible to transform our outlook or mindset through meditative efforts. Lack of confidence may transform into self-confidence, anxiety to relaxation, acceptance into peace.
Long-Term Support
Any recovery program requires long-term self-management through which goals, such as healthy decisions regarding general well-being, are developed. Meditation can help develop appropriate insight levels leading us to pick up on any changes within ourselves that may lead to relapsing behaviors. This is important in recovery as we learn it is possible to sustain healthy lifestyle choices away from support counseling and peer support. As crucial as peer and professional support is, it is imperative that the individual believes and develops the confidence of self-awareness and self-monitoring to maintain a healthy distance from acting out on the desire to fall back into using once again.
Life After Substances
It can be difficult, imaging an enjoyable life moving on from substance misuse. For many years, your recreation method may have centered around acquiring and using substances to attain a state whereby you felt popular and fun to be around.
The other issue at stake is the belief and acceptance of the self to realize that you don’t have to be using substances to enjoy life. It may be challenging to understand that you will be liked for yourself, that there is no need to drink before meeting new people at a social gathering.
Meditation can help open up the mind to live in the moment, appreciate all the simple things life has to offer and discover the joy in personal creativity or the world around you.
Relaxation
The ability to relax is an essential aspect of the addiction recovery process. Sobriety and recovery mean taking a look at your past, recognizing mistakes, acknowledging your part in them while looking at ways to change. However, one of these may be easy. Taking an honest look at the challenging aspects of your life can bring recovery-related depression and anxiety. Practicing meditation can help us move forward through these moments as we remind ourselves to accept what is past without judging. It can be acknowledged, but it remains in our past.
Take It With You
Meditation can be accomplished anywhere. No matter how large your apartment, your room, it doesn’t matter. You don’t need a gym membership. Meditation is a sustainable wellness routine that most people can incorporate into their day. Your support counselor may be able to suggest appropriate meditation sessions for you as you seek long-term wellness and recovery.
However, there are things you can practice immediately to help you become more relaxed as you consider whether or not meditation might be right for you:
- Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude. Whenever you feel resentment, frustration, or anger brewing, take a moment to appreciate something in silent gratitude. As you foster this habit, it will become second nature to show appreciation for every good thing that happens.
- Stay On Course. If you become irritated over small issues or get caught up worrying about past mistakes, meditation can help get your mind back on course. You can control your mind from drifting into lanes where it does not belong, just like you would do a car. When you are aware of this, stop what you’re doing immediately. Take slow, deep breaths until you feel your mind return to where it should be: on success and recovery.
- Acceptance. Accepting yourself right now does not mean that you are permitting people to treat you poorly. Start thinking about spending time with people who support you. Accept where you are right now and understand that you are pushing yourself to do better. You will have both good and bad days.
It is virtually impossible to live a life free from any kind of stress, especially when we are taking steps to overhaul our life away from old, unhealthy habits. However, by cultivating mindfulness habits through meditation, we might develop an overall mindset capable of redirecting negative thoughts, stress, and relapse temptations away from our efforts to sustain long term wellness and recovery.
Meditation may not spring to mind when you consider substance abuse recovery. Contrasted by prior lifestyle habits, the very idea may be unattractive. However, requiring no special equipment or subscription, the benefits of meditation can be felt anywhere and by anyone willing to offer up fifteen or twenty minutes and give it a try. With stress often cited as the primary reason for struggling with long term resolve, meditation can counteract negative emotions caused by feelings of guilt and shame. The Guest House provides residential and outpatient programs to treat all forms of addiction, trauma, and other mental health issues. Learn how to grow beyond your addiction and live a life of wellness and recovery while enjoying all that the heart of Florida’s Ocala National Forest has to offer. Individualized treatment options include psychodrama, meditation, equine therapy, art, music, and group support. The Guest House Ocala prides itself on providing a holistic and supportive approach to long term wellness and support. Tired of waiting to live the life you deserve? Call Guest House right now at (855) 483-7800. Our staff looks forward to meeting you.