Learning How to Meditate

In recovery, you’ll learn a lot about coping skills. After all, you’ve spent a lot of time not coping if you’re addicted to a substance. Addiction probably took over your whole life. Now that you’re in recovery, you’ll learn more about your triggers and changing your behaviors. One method of coping with life on life’s terms is meditation.

Why Meditate?

Meditation has been practiced for centuries and has been studied extensively. Research shows that many forms of meditations are beneficial for people with anxiety and depression. Mediating can help you practice calmness and physical relaxation. Many people all over the world use it to cope with illness, mental health, and everyday stress.

Learning to meditate may seem difficult at first. After all, part of the process is merely sitting still and learning to live in the moment. There are many different methods of meditation and no one “right way” to meditate. It’s okay if you have trouble meditating. Learning to use it as a tool takes time, and like many parts of recovery, take what you need and leave the rest.

Exploring Meditation in Recovery

Breathing exercises can also help you learn to meditate. Focusing on your breath is a good way to calm your blood pressure and help you focus on stillness. Try breathing counting backward from the count of 10, slowly and deeply. With each breath, concentrate on how your body feels when you breathe. Concentrate on your core (belly) and how it feels when your lungs fill with air. Then pay attention to the sensations as you breathe out again. This is a great exercise to try when you are feeling stressed or anxious.

There are many types of meditation to explore. Mindfulness is one form of meditation that has become popular in the past few years. Using mindfulness can help you live in the moment and concentrate on your breathing and body sensations. There are also different types of meditation you can explore. See if your local community center offers classes or take a course online. There are many meditation tools online that you can study at your leisure. Videos and podcasts can help you learn.

Getting Help for Addiction

Addiction is a disease that is progressive and painful. Many people have been able to reclaim their lives and get on the path to recovery, but you can’t do it on your own. Get help and learn how to live without the use of substances. Learn more about your options by calling us at 619-363-4767.