People often say that it’s easier to get sober than it is to stay sober, and you may be well aware of this. Many people with an addiction try to stay clean, but something happens, and they turn back to their substance of choice. Many times, this is because they don’t have the tools necessary to maintain recovery once they get sober. The great news is that mindfulness meditation is scientifically proven to help people stay sober and live a better life.
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Meditation is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, and it’s a core practice of Buddhism. Other spiritual practices also include prayer and meditation, such as contemplative prayer. For decades now, science has researched the benefits of meditation and have found incredible results. Of course, you can benefit from mindfulness meditation in a completely secular way without any religion, if that’s what you’d prefer.
Neurological studies show that regular meditation practice can have great effects on crucial parts of the brain. The part of the brain that is responsible for higher level cognitive functions is called the prefrontal cortex. The problem is that those with addiction have a prefrontal cortex that isn’t functioning correctly. Studies show that through meditation, the prefrontal cortex strengthens, which helps you stay sober.
Some of the responsibilities of the prefrontal cortex include:
- Emotional regulation
- Self-awareness
- Impulse control
- Logical decision making
- Empathy
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
Some people have misconceptions about meditation and believe that it involves dressing in a robe and sitting for hours. To receive the benefits of meditation, you need no robe, and benefits can come from a variety of practices. Meditation is a practice of simply being present in your experience and accepting it for what it is. The problem with our brains is that we latch on to thoughts and emotions, which actually make them more intense.
Through meditation, you’ll learn the practice of becoming the observer. A great way to think of meditation is being able to watch the movie instead of being in the movie. When you’re ready to sit back and watch your thoughts, emotions, and cravings, they don’t have as much power over you. This can also help you in everyday life when it comes to dealing with family, friends, work, and much more.
Different Forms of Mindfulness Meditation
Formal meditation is what most people think of, which involves sitting for a period. This can be a guided meditation for a specific experience you’re having, or it’s simply focusing on your breath. Concentrating on your breath involves noticing every time a thought arises and bringing your attention back to your breath. This helps to strengthen the part of the brain that’s responsible for concentration, and this can greatly help with ADHD as well.
One of the most popular forms of meditation is called mindfulness, and it’s just about paying attention in a non-judgmental way. Many people love mindfulness meditation because you can do it anytime, anywhere. There are practices like mindful eating, mindful walking, mindful listening, and much more. There are also practices like yoga, which is often known as a form of moving meditation. Yoga isn’t only a great form of meditation, but it can also help with symptoms of withdrawal and your overall health.
Getting Help for Your Addiction
Soledad House is a women’s addiction treatment facility located in beautiful San Diego, California. We’re here to help you on your path towards getting sober and learning how to stay sober for good. We have a 60-bed facility, and we have over 11 years of experience helping women struggling with addiction. Not only do we help you learn the benefits of meditation therapy, but we offer a wide range of other therapies as well. Some of the additional programs and services that we provide here at Soledad House include:
- Extended care program
- Sober living
- Relapse prevention
- Aftercare program
If you’re tired of the living the way that you’re living and want the opportunity to live the life you deserve, we can help. Give Soledad House a call today at 866-314-3222 to learn more.
