Your loved ones deserve the best chance they can get when it comes to fighting addiction. Regardless of the nature of the addiction, some types of treatment are often helpful across the board. One such flexible form of therapy dates back to ancient times: the simple art of personal management. Mindfulness exercises that complement addiction treatment help patients combat impulsivity, which in turn reduces the chance of relapse.
What is mindfulness?
As mentioned, mindfulness is the study of self-control. Without this tool for personal discipline, many people go through life tormented by chaotic emotions and thoughts. Mindfulness is essentially a toolbox that teaches us to distance ourselves from the experiential part of life and to look critically at ourselves.
By studying these techniques, individuals learn to actively manage their minds by shutting out ideas and feelings that distract or mislead us. In short, it is a very powerful tool for anyone, especially those who struggle with mental illness and addictions.
Using meditation effectively
Half of what makes addiction so terrible takes place inside a patient’s mind. It is not uncommon for people to experience dissonant emotions, hot flashes and disorienting thoughts. Often these feelings and emotions are the symptoms of an intense desire to surrender to the given substance. Meditation is a very effective tool for grappling with such impulses.
After learning even a simple meditation technique, such as counting breaths, patients find that they are more aware of experiential activities. Meditation teaches us to identify thoughts and feelings as independent responses that are often false and contrary to what is best for us. Meditation is increasingly prescribed as a therapeutic treatment indoor and outdoor clinics but also psychiatric centers.
Get the most out of yoga
Addiction of any kind is rarely harmful to the body. Patients suffering from substance abuse need to undergo detox in addition to recovering from the effects of the drug. Weakness, weight loss, and pain are just a few common side effects of chemical addiction. It’s not surprising that doctors generally advise patients to start an exercise routine so they can get back to a healthy lifestyle.
Yoga is just one of many possible forms of exercise that a professional can suggest, but its advantage is its inherent mindfulness techniques. It is also ideal for beginners as there are many ways to practice. Starting with simple stretches, the difficulty of yoga gradually increases until studied practitioners can hold difficult positions for long periods while maintaining a calm mind. Because of its dual physical and mental nature, yoga is also a great mindfulness practice that complements addiction treatment.