Not everyone’s journey is the same. That’s the thing about mental illness and substance use. The path to developing a mental health condition or relying on drugs or alcohol is often long and murky. The beginning of struggles isn’t always clear, and it usually takes a while before someone realizes they need help. It’s never too late, though! One thing that can be very beneficial to those dealing with mental illnesses or substance use is mindfulness. Mindfulness is awareness of the voice in your head and what is happening within your body. By being mindful of yourself, you’re able to control some of what happens around you. Continue reading for more information about the values of mindfulness in your recovery!
Drive the bus
Verity Gough, the author of “My New Normal” for In The Moment magazine, discovered mindfulness after a brain injury that left her battling depression. She joined a wellness group in her area that helped her learn about mindfulness. She was hoping to quiet the voices in her head and gives one example of how to do that. “One exercise we were taught was to imagine ourselves driving a bus which represents our lives, and all the passengers are various thoughts and feelings: anxiety or ‘poor me’; ‘what’s the point?’,” explains Gough. “Sometimes they are so loud that we can’t hear anything else. I was able to let those noisy negative passengers off the bus, or simply tell them to be quiet. It was very liberating.” As the driver of your recovery, you’re allowed to tell those pesky passengers that they are no longer welcome on your bus. Tell anxiety that they are no longer welcome in your life. Tell depression that they are no longer welcome in your life. Taking control of your situation can be difficult, but that’s something that practicing mindfulness can give you. Arbor Behavioral Healthcare can help with that, too.
Your new normal
If you want to live a happy and healthy life without depending on the substances you feel like you need, mindfulness can help. So can we. Mindfulness can help you learn to accept your new routine without drinking or drugs. It can help you get comfortable with yourself again once you have gotten clean. Mindfulness can work wonders.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare can help you learn about and implement mindfulness in your recovery from substance use. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you and help get you on the right track today!