A huge part of long-term sobriety is having optimal mental health. If you look good, feel good, and have the utmost confidence in yourself, you minimize the risk of relapse in recovery. While simple on paper, your focus may not be on mindfulness and mental health. The stresses of everyday life and the triggers present in your environment can leave you torn and frayed. If not addressed, it is only a matter of time before you turn back to substances to cope with your life.
In this article, you will learn how mindfulness improves mental health. You will learn the importance of mindfulness and ways you can practice mindfulness in your everyday life. If you are looking to preserve your hard-earned sobriety, call The Last House toll-free today. We offer top-tier aftercare and sober living programs that feature clinical and in-house support that is second to none. Call The Last House today and strengthen your recovery.
What is Mindfulness?
When you hear the word mindfulness, you may think of it as an esoteric New Age concept. In reality, mindfulness is a practice where you simply have full awareness of your thoughts in the present moment. When thoughts, feelings, and emotions enter your mind, you simply accept them for what they are and pass no judgment. When you are practicing mindfulness, there are right or wrong feelings. You are focusing on the present while avoiding reliving the past and worrying about the future.
How Does Mindfulness Improve Mental Health?
Now that you have a basic definition of mindfulness, how does mindfulness improve mental health? Early in your recovery, you experience wide and unpredictable swings in emotions. You may feel like you are hanging on my thread and feel like the wheels may come off at any moment. While these feelings are normal, not addressing them in a healthy and timely manner makes you vulnerable to relapse.
Utilizing mindfulness practices helps ground you in the present and makes you fully aware of what you are feeling in the present moment. When thoughts enter your mind, you simply acknowledge they are present and accept them for what they are. Once you acknowledge and accept your thoughts you let them go and return your focus to the present moment. When you focus on the here and now, you can see things clearly and can take positive steps forward.
Ways to Utilize Mindfulness To Improve Your Mental Health
Despite what you may think, incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily life is simple. The most common form of mindfulness practice is mindful meditation (also known as focused breathing). This form of meditation is very effective and only requires 10-15 minutes of your day. To perform mindful meditation, find a spot that is quiet and free from distraction. Focus on your breathing and the sensations you experience. When thoughts arise, acknowledge them, accept them, and return to your breath.
You can also incorporate mindfulness in recovery in other parts of your day-to-day life. For example, you can practice eating meditation where are take time to slow down and focus on each bite of food. Note the taste and texture as you slowly chew. You can also perform a walking meditation where you find a secluded spot where you can walk comfortably and note the sensations you feel with every step. Additionally, you can perform a listening meditation where you listen to sounds in your environment and imagine yourself getting inside those sounds. As always, avoid placing judgment on these sounds; accept them for what they are at that moment and move on.
Bolster Your Confidence In Recovery With Help From The Last House
You have worked hard to overcome your addiction and you must protect your investment at all costs. An excellent way to preserve your sobriety is to attend aftercare and sober living programs such as the one offered at The Last House. The Last House is Southern California’s premier sober living housing network. Our homes feature state-of-the-art amenities, evidence-based programming, as well as top-tier clinical support. We will help you develop and sharpen the tools you need to achieve lasting recovery. Call The Last House today and become confident in your sobriety.
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