Practicing Mindfulness in Recovery

I cannot tell you how many times I've heard," I think my car has automatic pilot to the ABC Store. I don't know what happened, before I knew it I was there." How often are you driving on automatic pilot? How many times have you been on your way to work and then suddenly realize that, for miles, you have been unaware of what has been going on? It's not uncommon for people in recovery or not in recovery to get lost in their thoughts. “Wondering about why my mom look at me did that way this morning?” “When will my spouse trust me again?”

When we practice mindfulness we are more aware of what is going on in the moment. Often, in addiction clients are concerned about what happened in the past and what can potentially happen in the future. This takes away from the beauty of experiencing recovery, here and now. By being mindful, you enjoy your recovery more, your meetings more, and your family and friends more. Here are some simple techniques to become more mindful.

1. Connect with your breath. Become aware of your breath, and where you feel your breath the most. Possibly focus on the rise and fall of your belly, and/or the rise and fall of your chest.

2. Connect with your five senses. Take a moment to connect with your sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Addiction is a disease that impacts the body, mind, and spirit. Too often we leave the body out of the equation. Take a few moments to become aware of what your body needs. Listen to your body.

Take 5 minutes a day to do absolutely nothing. Take a moment to reset! You’ve reset your computer when you’re frustrated, right? Why not take a moment to reset yourself. Take a few moments to sit in stillness, and which each exhale find yourself becoming more relaxed. Remember, don’t hold your breath! Breathe! Please visit our Meditation and Resources Page for a free mindfulness meditation.