The Power of Mindfulness in Addiction Recovery
The Power of Mindfulness in Addiction Recovery
Very often, we only use the obvious tools of recovery. Going to meetings, participating in addiction therapy in Los Angeles, and avoiding triggers. However, there’s an amazing tool that’s fast growing in popularity — not because it’s a woo-woo trend but because it provides value to those in recovery. Let’s talk about mindfulness!
What Is Mindfulness?
Most people have heard of mindfulness by now but let’s quickly shake hands with the concept again. Classified as a cognitive skill, mindfulness describes the ability to be fully aware of the present moment.
For example, when you are drinking your morning coffee, you don’t think about the past or what you need to do that day. You simply enjoy the peaceful moment and use your senses to stay anchored. Listen to the birds — or the silence. Taste the aroma of the coffee beans as it fills your nose and delights your tastebuds. Feel the warmth of the cup against your hands. Look at the trees outside or the caramel color of the coffee. With practice, this can become very natural.
Meet The Benefits of Mindfulness for Recovery
Lessen the power of cravings: Mindfulness teaches you to recognize cravings and to observe them as something you don’t have to engage with. This is taught through mindfulness meditation, where a major objective is to view your thoughts and emotions without judgment or reactivity.
Stronger coping skills: Mindfulness teaches you to avoid harmful escapism like substance abuse (alternatively, reading a great book is good escapism). Instead, you’ll gain valuable coping skills by learning to face the present and deal with feelings head-on.
Many find that guided mindfulness meditation is a good way to start before moving on to more complex meditation sessions. But remember, you don’t have to rely solely on meditation to grow your mindfulness muscle!
Take a small moment — ideally peaceful and quiet — and be aware of everything around you, using your senses. Start with a few seconds, then a minute, then as long as the moment lasts. Be gentle with yourself and soon enough, you’ll start reaping the grounding, healthy benefits of mindfulness.
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