“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” ~ Hermann Hesse. We all need a retreat, a sanctuary, and that stillness in our lives, if only for a few brief moments a day. Holistic wellness applies to physical and mental health, and we should dedicate our time and efforts to both. Doing something like meditation for yourself and your well-being will reap benefits reflected in your quality of life. Some effective ways to find your center and balance in life, allowing you to live in the moment and appreciate each new day, include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Mindfulness
- Reflection
Many people in treatment and recovery utilize meditation to assist them in their challenging journey.
Why Do People Practice Meditation?
The benefits of meditation are many and varied, and the most well-known are the benefits of relieving stress. Meditation can help a person cope with stressful situations, which can cause anxiety and depression. Meditating can help you manage stress by increasing self-awareness and focusing on the present. This can aid in managing your emotions and increase your patience with conflict and relationships.
According to The National Library of Medicine, “the practice of meditation triggers neurotransmitters that modulate psychological disorders such as anxiety.” Anyone who experiences ongoing anxiety realizes what a tremendous help meditation might be. Although meditation rose from Eastern spirituality and religious roots, it is prominently recognized in science and used in therapy worldwide.
Different Types of Meditation
There are many forms of meditation, some vastly different from others. Don’t give up if you try one type of meditation that does not work for you. Try several and compare. You may find just what you are looking for or something you did not know you were looking for.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is awareness of where you are, what you are doing, and what makes you behave the way you behave. Being fully present, aware of yourself and your surroundings in the moment, and accepting the thoughts and emotions you observe without judgment. Many mental health and substance abuse treatment and recovery programs now include a holistic approach of mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, group therapy, and talk therapy.
Transcendental Meditation
This type of meditation is quite basic in its execution, but research has shown its cardiovascular benefits. A person can fully relax, thus lowering anxiety, blood pressure, and psychosocial stresses. Meditating involves choosing a mantra (a string of words or sounds) and repeating them for twenty minutes twice daily. During meditation, a person reaches transcendental consciousness due to reduced mental and physical activity, and the body and mind rest without being asleep or exerting any effort. It results in total relaxation.
Samatha Meditation
Practicing Samatha—a Buddhist meditation—involves using concentration techniques to calm the mind and manage stress and thought patterns. One effective method of Samatha is breath counting, which is believed to quiet the mind and improve one’s focus. This process is also believed to generate tranquility and joy using breath counting, concentration, and mindfulness.
Yoga Meditation
In practicing Yoga meditation, a person goes through a set of body postures while using controlled breathing techniques. Not only does this form of meditation calm the mind, but it also fosters flexibility. There are numerous styles and types of yoga, but most allow for meditation complement.
Holistic Health and Wellness
Recognizing and treating the whole person is the core component of holistic wellness. Health encompasses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. As in treatment and recovery, a person participates actively in their wellness and healing decisions. Physical and mental healing may include alternative approaches and therapies, and there may be numerous options.
Interestingly, traditional holistic approaches include foods, herbs, vitamins, teas, and other alternative remedies as medicine. Many of those practices are true today but more likely combined with more scientifically proven methods. An optimal approach might be finding a balance that nurtures, protects, and heals the whole person.
The Benefits of Meditation for Recovery
Those in recovery often experience bouts of anxiety, stress, and depression and may also deal with other mental health issues concurrently. Meditation, known for its effectiveness in relieving stress and anxiety, is widely used by therapists and in treatment facilities as meditation therapy. Being able to calm the mind can be a powerful aid to patients progressing through treatment and recovery.
The beauty of meditation, whether mindfulness or transcendental, etc., is that you can practice it anywhere at any time. Life goes beyond recovery; we still need to work and care for our families. The opportunity to stave off anxiety before a big meeting, for example, by taking a few minutes to meditate and relax your mind, is a welcomed convenience.
Our overall well-being and quality of life are worth the effort.
At SoCal Mental Health, the whole person and their total well-being are important to us. Meditation is a way that a person can connect with themselves, investing in their holistic wellness. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can aid treatment and recovery and are included in our mental health and substance abuse programs. If you feel overwhelmed or out of control due to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, we can help you overcome them. Our programs are designed for your needs, whether for mental health issues, addiction recovery, relapse, or other struggles. You do not have to go through this alone. Call us today at (949) 502-2041 for more information.
