Meditation has been mainstreamed in recent years to fight stress and promote happiness in everyday life. If you have never tried it, meditating can seem complex and intimidating. Meditation is a practice, which means that you aren’t expected to get it right the first time. Each practice brings you one step closer to creating space between your thoughts and finding peace in that distance. Meditation is often used in a holistic approach to addiction recovery, and has been shown to have great benefits for those seeking freedom from addiction. One way that meditation works in battling addiction is by creating a natural, healthy “high”. Rather than artificially stimulating the prefrontal cortex in a manner that leads to a mental and emotional crash once the high wears off, meditation strengthens the “happiness center” of your brain, creating a lasting effect. Meditation also produces endorphins similar to those created by physical exercise. Meditators are said to experience a “meditator’s high” even stronger than a “runner’s high”. Meditation teaches you to become a witness to your thoughts and emotions rather than reflexively identifying with them. This skill can be incredibly useful in addiction recovery because it allows you to take a step back when you are experiencing a craving and recognize the urge as a temporary impulse that is separate from who you really are. This may sound easier said than done, but with practice, meditation can truly allow you to take control of how you react to your thoughts and feelings. This may also help you to heal from past trauma as you allow yourself to feel suppressed emotions without strongly identifying with them in a painful way.
At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.