For the uninitiated, mindfulness may seem like an abstract or intimidating concept. Sometimes it can come across as a magical cure-all for all of your emotional woes, or perhaps it seems like an empty buzz word.
And yet, there are thousands of people who will swear by their mindfulness practice – especially in recovery. If it weren’t effective, we wouldn’t focus on Mindfulness in Recovery® alongside our other evidence-based therapies at Renewal Lodge.
Once you obtain an understanding of how mindfulness actually works and what it feels like, it’s easier to open your mind to these healing concepts that will aid your recovery.
Observing the Physical Sensations of Mindfulness
At the beginning of a new mindfulness practice, we often instruct individuals to pay attention to the subtle physical changes in their body. These are sensations that are almost always present, but we’ve gotten very adept at tuning out of our consciousness.
Noticing these small changes – like the tension in your shoulders or the rise and fall of your diaphragm as you breathe – opens the door to observing these sensations in a grounded, realistic way.
You may become more attuned to recognizing these physical sensations, like the feeling of your feet pressing against the ground as you enjoy an evening walk.
In mindful awareness, your breath often becomes slower and deeper, usually followed by a sense of calm throughout your body. People often describe the experience as relaxed; their muscles begin to loosen and their heart rate may slow.
These are all part of the body’s natural relaxation response, which mindfulness can help activate. The more you practice awareness of these physical changes, the easier it is for you to manage these and other physical manifestations of stress and cravings that accompany your recovery.
Embracing the Emotional Experience of Mindfulness
Our emotional state is closely tied to our active consciousness, and mindfulness offers a tool that helps navigate intense feelings at their highs and lows. In the moment, cravings to drink or use seem so strong that you can’t even think straight.
As you practice, you may find that you have more awareness and insight into your emotional state. You may recognize feelings as they arise, giving you the choice to allow intense emotions to pass through you without becoming overwhelmed. This heightened emotional intelligence often leads to a greater sense of inner peace and stability.
With enough practice, you give yourself the opportunity to feel your emotions in the moment without turning them away, while also creating a space where you can choose to act on those feelings with more intentionality, and less impulsivity.
This emotional steadiness can become a cornerstone of your healing process, helping you navigate the recovery journey with less judgment and more confidence. Perhaps even more importantly, you’ll have gained an invaluable life skill for resolving the problems that tend to arise as we go through our lives.
Developing the Mental Aspects of Mindfulness
The mental experience of mindfulness is often characterized by:
- Increased focus and clarity: You may find your mind becoming clearer and more focused, able to concentrate on the present moment.
- Observing thoughts without judgment: Mindfulness allows you to watch your thoughts come and go without getting caught up in them or judging them as good or bad.
- Reduced mental chatter: Many people report a quieting of the constant mental commentary that often runs in the background of our minds.
These mental shifts can provide much-needed clarity and peace, especially when dealing with the mental challenges of addiction recovery.
Initiating a Shift in Perspective
One of the most profound aspects of mindfulness is how it can shift your overall perspective:
- Present moment awareness: You become more anchored in the present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
- Non-judgmental attitude: Mindfulness cultivates a sense of acceptance and non-judgment towards your experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant.
- Increased self-compassion: Many people find they become kinder and more understanding towards themselves through mindfulness practice.
This shift in perspective can be transformative in recovery, helping you approach challenges with greater acceptance and compassion.
Getting Started with Mindfulness in Recovery Through Inpatient Rehab
Mindfulness can help you observe cravings and triggers without automatically reacting to them, giving you more control over your responses. You may also gain deeper insights into your patterns of thought and behavior related to substance use, fostering enhanced self-awareness in recovery.
At Renewal Lodge, we take this a step further by combining mindfulness with the 12-step approach, enhancing the effectiveness of both methodologies. This integration of mindfulness into recovery provides powerful tools for maintaining sobriety and improving overall well-being.
Our clients, by cultivating present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance, obtain a skill that helps them live and act with greater clarity, resilience, and self-compassion, ultimately supporting their journey towards lasting sobriety and a more fulfilling life.
Be patient with yourself as you develop your practice. The journey of mindfulness, like recovery itself, is ongoing. With each moment of awareness, you’re building a foundation for a more balanced, fulfilling life in recovery.
