Take a moment, pause, then take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Meditation is the universal medicine that benefits everyone. The best part? You don’t need a prescription. Quieting your mind and focusing on breathing is a wellness practice with benefits that can also help on the road to recovery.
What is meditation?
According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation is a complementary mind-body connection that produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention on breathing while eliminating the stream of jumbled, stressful thoughts crowding your mind. Meditation allows reflection on your current circumstances, allowing you to take a deep dive into your feelings and how to move forward. All you must do is have an open mind, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
How do I meditate?
If you have never experienced an actual cycle of meditation, knowing what to expect or where to start may seem overwhelming. There is no wrong way to meditate. Take the time to find the process that suits you. Mindful.org provides seven tips to help get you started.
- Take a seat
- Set a time limit
- Notice your body
- Feel your breath
- Notice when your mind has wandered
- Be kind to your wandering mind
- Close with kindness
These tips can help you understand and feel the process for meditation, figure out what is right for your body, and provide a guide for your practice. This calming technique is personal to the individual. What may work for one person may not work for another.
Incorporating meditation for recovery
Addiction is a disease, and everyone’s struggle is different, just as the journey to recovery is different. Meditation alters the way one focuses on their addiction by providing support for the road to recovery. Insider.com shares how mindfulness meditation can increase your awareness of cravings and allow you to manage them better. Some of the benefits include handling impulses better, improved sleep quality, and a more vital ability to recognize the temptation to reach for substances, helping you stay focused on recovery.
Resources available
While mindful meditation can benefit physical and mental health, you may need an added support system. At Valley Oaks Health, we provide a series of services and support to help you master your addiction. Whether you find comfort in individual or group sessions, Valley Oaks offers several modalities and tools to help support your overall growth and healing.
