Celebrate Meditation Month: Practice Meditation This May

Meditation can be a life-changing experience for many people. West Coast Recovery Centers wants to remind everyone that meditation month is the perfect time to remember that, when paired with therapy, it can create an amazing recovery experience.  

What Is Meditation Month?

Some people are hesitant to attempt meditation. They may see it as a strange practice that is a bit too new-age for them. However, meditation month is in place to allow people to ask their questions, meet with professional practitioners, and even just chat with friends about it.

When people can ask questions and dig a bit deeper into different concepts they may not have asked before, their minds can be changed. There may even be people who have never even thought to consider meditation or have never heard of it. These are all great reasons to introduce people to meditation month.

What Is Involved In Meditation?

Meditation is an introspective practice. It requires nothing but a quiet space and anywhere from a few minutes to hours of time. The goal of meditation is to take time from an individual's busy life to do nothing but clear their mind off the weight of their day.  

West Coast Recovery Centers understands that, at first, the concept may seem strange and unnatural. We all spend so much time creating inner narratives and personal monologues that the idea of emptying the mind can be difficult. That is why there are seven basic steps to meditation:

1. Sit or lay down comfortably
2. Close your eyes or wear an eye mask
3. Begin slow, deep breathing
4. Mentally scan your body to notice all sensations
5. Allow yourself to become aware of any thoughts
6. Focus on specific thoughts and allow them to leave your mind slowly
7. Continue to focus on steady breathing

These steps will become easier with time. The main thing to remember is that when you can concentrate on steady breathing, your thoughts will eventually begin to quiet. In these cases, it is important to remember that thoughts will intrude. When they do, they should be briefly acknowledged and allowed to drift away.

What Can Meditation Month Teach Us About the Recovery Process?

When people think of recovery, they often think of interpersonal talk therapy. This can be in the form of individual or group therapy. While talk therapy plays a significant role in the recovery process, far more pieces add to the overall experience.

Many people do not realize the true mental toll that recovery exerts on individuals. This applies to all levels, including both inpatient and outpatient programs. The goal of these programs is to take a person and allow them to shut out most of the world in an effort to focus inwards. Often, this process is mirrored in the meditative process.

That being said, when taught and practiced alongside these traditional methods, meditation can have a profound impact on an individual's recovery. After so much time spent mired in one's issues and drilling down into trauma, people need some kind of relief. The practice allows people to take this relief into their own hands by finding an inner solace that allows the tumult of recovery a chance to cool.

Meditation month is about this practice. It is about finding just how profoundly meditation can impact people. However, for those going through recovery, it may even become an essential part of their lives. Consider the scientifically proven benefits:

• Stress reduction
• Increased concentration
• Improved sleep
• Anxiety reduction
• Ease PTSD-related issues

These are all positive aspects that can help in recovery. Not to mention the fact that these are great tools to have post-recovery as well. Meditation month is a time to learn about the various aspects of life where the practice can be useful. It can be a great help to those looking to reduce stress and improve overall health following an inpatient or outpatient program.

Who Benefits From Meditation Month?

No matter a person's background or current situation, meditation month can bring unexpected joy and peace. When people understand what meditation can offer them, they are often willing to give it a try. Even those who see it as being strange and somewhat uninteresting may change their mind when given the full explanation of its benefits.

Meditation month is a time for people to get involved. It is a time for inquisitive minds to have the chance to try something new. People who already enjoy the benefits of meditation may find themselves encouraged to involve their friends and family.

There are a number of resources for those interested in learning more. Not only can West Coast Recovery Centers assist in a person's journey, but many yoga studios offer guided meditation classes. For people who wish to try it on their own, there are a number of podcasts that can lead them through guided meditation. Finally, for those who want to try but may feel embarrassed to do it with others, there are a number of tutorials online about how to try it at home.

Regardless of how you celebrate meditation month and what you get out of it, it is a great time to participate in a new activity that has nothing to offer except benefits and positive outcomes.

May is meditation month! This month, West Coast Recovery Centers is celebrating by introducing people to the concept. This is the time to try for people who are not sure about it or have never attempted it. We utilize meditation in our program as a way to assist people who are going through the recovery process. We find that meditation can assist with a variety of tangential issues that arise during recovery. This can include anxiety and depression, self-doubt, and even fatigue from the program. The goal is to assist clients and make their time in our program as easy as possible. To learn more about the program and meditation, call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.