The Benefits of Mindfulness in Recovery
Mindfulness is an ability to be aware or conscious of something in the present moment. It’s the ability to pay attention on deeper levels. In recovery, this skill is very beneficial, as one seeks to discover and love who they are beyond the addictive behavior. The use of mindfulness can help someone get and stay sober by uncovering a deeper understanding of how their mind and thoughts are affecting their actions. At Yahlight, we believe a practice of mindfulness creates an opening to soul inventory. This means cultivating the ability to be aware of your soul. It is the soul that needs recovery. Discovery and recovery of the soul increases innocence and inner power. Mastering mindfulness as a tool for recovery has positive long lasting effects.
Understanding Mindfulness
A journal article, “Mindfulness and Behavior Change,” published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry, discussed mindfulness and behavior. This source stated, “Mindfulness is commonly defined as the awareness that arises when paying attention to the present moment nonjudgmentally.” This source also stated, “The cultivation of mindfulness, involving acceptance and nonjudgment of present-moment experience, often results in transformative health behavior change.”
The definition and the idea that mindfulness involves acceptance is an important piece to healing, growth, and recovery. Mindfulness could be considered a skill to learn. Like any other skill, it takes practice before it comes naturally. Over time, mindfulness can help you to notice what is active within your soul. When you practice mindfulness, you may notice you get better at understanding your needs as well and how to honor them in positive ways.
Mindfulness in recovery can help you to listen to your mind and body and decipher in the moment what you need. When in recovery, it can be difficult to know how to care for yourself, but it is vital to do so. A journal article, “Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention in Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review,” published in Behavioral Sciences, discussed the effectiveness of mindfulness. This source found that mindfulness in recovery had a significant positive impact on wellness, which further supports the importance of practicing mindfulness in daily life.
Mindfulness Techniques for Recovery
Utilizing mindfulness in recovery can encourage more rapid healing. There are multiple mindfulness techniques you can learn to incorporate into your recovery journey. At Yahlight, we can help you learn mindfulness breathing techniques. Mindful breathing has a variety of health benefits, including reducing your anxiety or stress levels, and lowering your blood pressure. Some other benefits of mindfulness breathing can include improving your ability to focus, improving mental clarity and learning to pause before acting. In recovery, these benefits will help you feel better physically and have the power to improve your mental well-being.
Body scanning is another technique that can be utilized when you mentally scan your body to listen to what your body is saying and what it needs. This practice is beneficial especially when healing the relationship you have with your body. Listening to what your body and soul needs and honoring those needs in healthy ways is crucial to the recovery process. Mindfulness is almost the opposite of addiction. It requires being present and aware at all times. Mindfulness occurs naturally during meditation where the goal is to be present and accept all things without judgement. Meditation on the body, breath, soul, spirit and heart is a practice that we can help you become familiar with. Please visit our Christ-Centered Meditation and Prayer page to begin your meditation journey.
Mindfulness is something you do all day long in daily activities, whereas meditation is a practice that you do at certain times of the day for a certain amount of time. Whether you are pausing to check in with your body to tune in with your needs or you are taking time out of your day to meditate, both can be helpful components to your recovery.
Season of Self-Reflection
Dedicating time for self-reflection is a component of mindfulness that can help you to grow and change. Self-reflection can be done in a variety of ways. It’s important to find what works for you based on what you enjoy. For example, if you like to write, using a journal may be a perfect option. If you like to walk, you can do a walking meditation where you unplug from technology, be mindful of your body, thoughts and feelings and spend time listening and reflecting.
Self-reflection supports self-love and soul-love. When you practice mindfulness, you are learning not only how to accept the present as it is but also how to accept yourself without judgment. This can be key to loving who you are. This could ultimately lead you to find inner peace and connection with yourself and your higher power. Please visit our Blog page for information regarding connecting to your higher power.
Tips for Cultivating Mindfulness
Establishing a mindfulness practice may seem overwhelming. We understand it can be difficult to get started with something new and to stick with it long-term. If that resonates with you, planning an enjoyable routine is crucial. Instead of planning to be mindful practices for an hour every day, try to start smaller. Mindfulness does not have to be an elaborate, detailed plan. Try becoming more aware of your thoughts, feelings and pains little by little Try scheduling a time in your day to practice a mindfulness technique, like meditation, breath work or walking at least once a day and follow it up with self-reflection.
Practicing mindfulness may come with some challenges. There may be racing thoughts while you are trying to meditate, or you may notice a lack of motivation on some days. When challenges like these arise, try to remember that mindfulness is about acceptance. You can accept that you are having racing thoughts. Notice what they are, then gently allow them to pass. Try practicing non-judgement. Remember that mindfulness can be considered a skill that can take time to learn before it comes naturally. You deserve to stay connected with your inner self and to feel self-love. Keep trying mindfulness, and be gentle with yourself.
Mindfulness is a key component of recovery and Yahlight can help support you in learning how. Work with me to continue on this path.