ADDICTION RECOVERY SUPPORT
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION IN RECOVERY
Benefits:
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Improved emotional regulation
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Reduced stress and anxiety
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Enhanced self-awareness
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Reduced impulsivity
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Increased psychological well-being
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Greater cognitive flexibility
Overcoming addiction is a journey unto itself. Mindfulness and meditation can be a great tool along this road.
HOW CAN LEARNING MEDITATION HELP YOU IN RECOVERY?
The benefits for each are so deeply personal. Certainly for me I found the greatest benefit was an increase in empathy. I found that with an increase in empathy I am kinder to myself along my journey.
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I encourage you to try it for yourself, unlock the power of connection.
Food for thought: In the end all addictions are an attempt to suppress or create a feeling or state of consciousness. It is about control: suppression is related to denial and creating a particular state relates to compensation.
Alcohol as an example - lowers the inhibition and releases control of the conscious mind which effectively results in a feeling of liberation. This gives us a sort of energy release and a discharging of the system. Drinking to relieve stress or binge drinking are easy examples here. Often the other side of this swing, which is to placing limits and restrictions on ourselves to curb our drinking habits, which creates feelings of suppression and the cycle begins because we want to overthrow this dominating influence. This cycle can become a habit with negative consequences because it is temporary relief and thus needs to be repeated which leads to addiction.
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Mindfulness is the ability to choose where you place your attention and keep it there. It is not about mastering the practice but rather about letting go. Letting go of control.
USING MINDFULNESS TO ACHIEVING BALANCE
Consider using your subtle energy system though mindfulness, guided meditation and breath work to access non-verbal communication, relieve anxiety, increase self-compassion and mindfulness.
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WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SUBTLE ENERGY SYSTEM OF YOUR BODY?
It is your emotions, thoughts, sensation, shifts, mind and the ego. Ego being your sense of self-esteem and it mediates between the conscious and unconscious. We can access our subtle energy through practices such as yoga, breath work and meditation.
WHY DO I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH YOUR SUBTLE ENERGY?
Everything around us is made of matter and energy, including the human body.
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Matter = anything that takes up space
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Energy = the ability to move matter or do work.
We have different types of energy:
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Physical energy (how healthy are we?)
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Emotional energy (how happy are we?)
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Mental energy (how well we can focus on something?)
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Spiritual energy (why are we doing all this?)
A healthy subtle energy system will move our body more effectively which will give us good physical health
IN A WORLD WHERE WE ARE BEING OVER STIMULATED, ARE WE ACTUALLY ABLE TO BE PRESENT?
SOLUTIONS
8 loving concept to consider during your journey with or without a guided meditation practice:
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It’s all about movement!
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Pay attention to the sensations and impulses flowing through the body because these are feelings and emotions. Be gentle and learn what they have to say and respond in love and kindness.
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The human body, mind and soul has the ability to self-heal and self-preserve. You have the power.
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A healthy subtle energy system allows our energy to flow and move which will allow us to heal and restore balance to our mind, body and spirit.
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Work through the guilt
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Examine motives and needs that lie beneath your behaviors. Ask what are you trying to satisfy?
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Look at your primary role models
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What were you shown was acceptable? Give this back to your primary role models and take your life back! Who do you want to be?
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How can your underlying needs be met in more appropriate ways?
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Investigate ways.
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Make amends where you have caused harm
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If you are not sure how, ask for help.
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Develop new and healthy behaviors
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Finally, forgive yourself and move on to a life of value, joy and success.
If you would like to talk to a specialist reach out, I have contacts in all corners of the globe or connect with Desiree. Its a good place to start if you are curious about sobriety:
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Contact Geneva and London-based psychotherapist Desiree Kogevinas - Addiction specialist, developmental trauma and all aspects of relationship therapy.
