It’s a well-known fact that meditation therapy has numerous positive effects on the mind, body, and spirit and, therefore, protects your mental health. However, it’s a less-known one that can be extremely helpful for those going through rehab. With that in mind, this article deals with the importance of meditation therapy during rehab and how it can aid recovery.
Rehabilitation can be challenging for individuals that struggle with addiction problems. That’s why it’s essential to have a recovery plan to address one’s physical and mental health. And even though conventional therapy is helpful, adding meditation to a rehabilitation process offers valuable benefits.
As firm believers in mindfulness meditation and its advantages, we consulted experts in addiction treatment at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center for advice. They pointed out that meditation therapy can be a powerful tool in supporting individuals through recovery. This is because traditional treatments may not always fully address addiction since it is a complex disorder affecting the body, mind, and spirit. Therefore, meditation therapy can be a helpful addition to conventional treatments by addressing the emotional and spiritual aspects of addiction and giving people a sense of calm, clarity, and purpose while they work toward sobriety. So, in this article, we’ll discuss the importance of including meditation therapy in the rehabilitation process and how one can benefit from it.
What is mediation therapy?
Meditation therapy is a type of therapy that uses mediation as the primary tool to encourage relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. It might be helpful to know that this isn’t some new and popular type of healing that will disappear in a blink of a second. On the contrary, meditation has been practised for thousands of years and is rooted in various traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism.
By concentrating on the breath or a specific object, like a mantra or a candle flame, meditation therapy aims to help patients establish a state of inner calm and mindfulness. By doing so, people can quiet their minds and focus more on the present. You’ll agree, which is a luxury nowadays when we’re all in a hectic rush.
Benefits of mediation therapy during rehab
Reduces anxiety and stress
Stress and anxiety are common triggers for substance abuse and can, therefore, pose significant barriers to recovery. Meditation therapy can help people in rehab learn to manage their stress and anxiety by giving them tools to keep their minds calm and focus on the present moment. This is especially useful in the early stages of rehab, when people may experience more intense emotions.
Improves emotional regulation
Many people who struggle with addiction can also struggle with emotional regulation. It’s common for them to feel overwhelmed by their emotions and to, therefore, turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Consequently, meditation therapy during rehab can help those who struggle to regulate their emotions by teaching them to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. By doing so, they can learn to respond to their emotions more constructively.
Promotes self-awareness
In addition, recovery requires a high level of self-awareness. It enables people to understand their behavioural patterns and make changes to support their sobriety.
Meditation therapy can aid in developing self-awareness in rehab patients by teaching them to observe their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours without judgment. This allows them to gain insight into their motivations and triggers and, subsequently, make more informed decisions.
Enhances cognitive function
Moreover, drug and alcohol abuse can have a significant impact on cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and executive function.
So, when it comes to this segment, meditation therapy can help people by increasing mental clarity and focus. Additionally, it can help them develop the ability to focus for more extended periods, which can be helpful in various situations.
Fosters a sense of connection
Ultimately, addiction can feel and be a very lonely experience. It’s also not uncommon for people to feel isolated from others they’re in treatment with.
As a result, meditation therapy can aid people in rehab and develop a stronger sense of connection in a way that promotes empathy and compassion. And eventually, by learning to be more present in the moment, they can also become more attuned to the needs of others.
How to incorporate meditation therapy during rehab
Now that you’ve learned about the advantages of meditation therapy let’s see how you can incorporate it into your rehabilitation process.
Find a rehab centre that offers meditation therapy during rehab
Many rehab centres now offer meditation therapy as part of their treatment programs. So, looking for a centre with experience incorporating meditation therapy into rehab would be good. If they offer this service, they can provide guidance and support as you develop your practice.
Explore mindfulness-based approach
In addition to meditation therapy, several mindfulness-based approaches can be helpful in rehab, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
These approaches use mindfulness techniques to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve emotional regulation. Ultimately, these techniques can ease the symptoms of certain mental health disorders.
Practice on your own
Ultimately, you could also practice meditation on your own, even if your rehab centre doesn’t offer meditation therapy as a possibility. Fortunately, numerous resources can be found online, like guided meditation and different apps, that can help you get started.
Tips for starting
However, if you’re starting rehab, starting meditation can seem overwhelming at first. So, let’s look at a few tips to help you begin.
- Start small. Start by meditating a few minutes daily and gradually increasing your sessions’ length.
- Be consistent. Try meditating every day at the same time, as consistency is the key to meditation.
- Find a position you’re comfortable in. Find a position that feels comfortable for you, whether sitting cross-legged on a cushion or lying down on your back. The most important thing is to find a position that allows you to relax and focus on your breath.
- Do not judge your thoughts. It’s normal for your mind to wander during meditation. When you notice your thoughts drifting, simply observe them without judgment and gently bring your attention back to your breath. Remember, the goal of meditation isn’t to stop thinking altogether but to learn to observe your thoughts without getting caught up in them.
End thoughts on how to integrate meditation therapy during rehab
In conclusion, we can all agree that meditation therapy during rehab can benefit individuals, especially those struggling with substance abuse. If you’re in rehab already or wish to make a change and break the cycle alone, why not try it now? Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
Tim Williamson, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
