In recent years, the use of mindfulness during treatment has become increasingly popular. The main idea of mindfulness is to stay present in the current moment and to better understand personal thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness may seem mundane. However, there is research that shows that this practice can have many benefits during addiction treatment.
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex disease that can have many detrimental impacts. Luckily, there are many different forms of treatment to ensure that each individual’s unique needs are met in recovery.
Today’s article will explore the many benefits of practicing mindfulness during treatment, along with understanding mindfulness more in-depth. West Coast Recovery Centers strives to ensure that we incorporate mindfulness and meditation within our holistic treatment options.
Exploring the History of Mindfulness
Mindfulness has been practiced for hundreds of years, so it’s important to understand the history of this practice. This practice stems from Buddhism and the term “Sati,” which translates to the statement “moment-to-moment awareness of present events.” A man named Thomas William Rhys Davids discovered that the term mindfulness was the closest translation to Sati. This is when the mindfulness movement started and eventually came to the U.S. in the 70s.
What Is Mindfulness?
The main idea of mindfulness is to ensure a state of self-awareness for the person practicing. This is a great way to understand your feelings and thoughts about a certain event or time during your life. There are also many different ways to practice mindfulness, ensuring that every individual can choose their favorite and most effective way to practice mindfulness.
The Different Types of Mindfulness During Treatment
There are many different kinds of mindfulness practices that can be beneficial for SUD treatment. You may enjoy one activity more than another, which is why it is important to understand the differences and which practices might be most beneficial to you.
Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a practice that can help you slow down your breathing and focus on your body in the current moment. This form of mindfulness can help you slow down your breathing and your thoughts. Mindfulness meditation combines both breathing exercises and self-awareness. This can help during treatment because it reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Mindful Breathing Exercises
The benefits of mindful breathing exercises are similar to the mindful meditation practice. Mindful breathing only takes a few minutes out of your day and can help reduce stress by keeping you present. Some breathing exercises can include deep breathing and whole-body breathing.
Yoga
Yoga is another common form of mindfulness that originated from the Buddhist religion. This practice can help ease feelings of stress and anxiety associated with change. Yoga can help ease these specific feelings because it increases the levels of the GABA neurotransmitter. In most cases, GABA is lower in people who struggle with depression and anxiety.
Understanding How Mindfulness During Treatment Is Beneficial
One of the main reasons why mindfulness is beneficial during treatment is because it can help lower the risk of a relapse. During the practice of mindfulness, you are able to learn more about why you experience cravings and the best ways to alleviate them.
In addition, mindfulness during treatment can help with regulating your emotions. Addiction can cause intense emotions for everyone involved, such as anxiety, anger, depression, and sadness. These emotions can be tough to process, and if you learn the best ways to regulate your emotions, it can help elevate these symptoms.
During treatment, specifically detox, you may also experience some uncomfortable physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches, shaking, muscle tension, and other withdrawal symptoms. Practicing mindfulness can help reduce the side effects and symptoms of withdrawal. Mindfulness can reduce the effects of withdrawal because you are able to focus on the present moment and ease the tension within your body.
How Can West Coast Recovery Centers Help?
Here at West Coast Recovery Centers, our team strives to ensure we provide holistic treatments that include different mindfulness-based exercises. This can include yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and creative arts expression.
These specific practices can help you feel more in tune with your body and develop stronger feelings of self-compassion. Mindfulness practices are intended to be practiced in tandem with our other forms of treatment, such as group and individual therapy. This provides unique benefits for treating both SUDs and mental health disorders that you may be struggling with.
It’s important to understand that you are not alone during your treatment journey. Our team here at West Coast Recovery Centers are here to help you during this new process. You can start by reaching out to a trusted loved one. They might be able to make the process easier when searching for the right treatment center for you.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, consider incorporating mindfulness into your treatment plan. The benefits of mindfulness, such as developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, self-compassion, and a sense of control over one’s life, can be crucial in overcoming addiction and maintaining sobriety. Mindfulness can also help reduce physical symptoms of withdrawal and decrease the risk of relapse. Our team here at West Coast Recovery Centers ensures a holistic treatment that includes mindfulness during treatment. Together, we can develop a personalized approach to recovery that includes mindfulness practices and techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness-based therapy. Start your journey towards a healthier life and reach out today at (760) 492-6509.