Utilizing mindfulness techniques is a great way to help improve your mental health. The best thing about mindfulness techniques is that they can help anyone. Mindfulness is easy to use once you understand it and can be practiced anywhere. It has been found especially helpful for those struggling with mental health disorders such as trauma-based disorders, chronic stress, and addiction.
Although mindfulness techniques are useful, few people know how to use them. This is because people are generally encouraged to be long-term thinkers for the future. Learning how to stop and be aware of the present moment can be strange to some, but it’s important for recovery. That’s why at Painted Desert Recovery, learning mindfulness techniques is an essential part of treatment. Once these techniques are understood, clients gain a skill that can assist them long after treatment.
To use mindfulness techniques, we must first grasp the concept behind mindfulness itself.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a gentle active practice where a person focuses their awareness on the present moment. This involves focusing on the sensations of your body to ground yourself in the here and now. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, such as while doing chores, taking a walk, or simply resting. Using mindfulness techniques allows someone to focus on specific actions and thought patterns to ground them.
The goal of practicing mindfulness is to control the mind rather than letting it control you. This is especially useful for those struggling with trauma-based disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These disorders often cause persistent feelings of fear and anxiety that make it difficult to live a normal life. Using mindfulness techniques reminds the person that they are safe and aren’t trapped in the past. For those struggling with addiction, mindfulness helps by keeping one grounded and focused on each day. This is important during treatment, as focusing on what can be done at the moment instead of what can’t be done can prevent unneeded stress and worry.
What mindfulness techniques a person uses depends on the individual. However, some commonly used techniques are easy to learn and incorporate into daily life.
Examples of Mindfulness Techniques
There are several mindfulness techniques a person can use to enhance their recovery. Some of these techniques are more structured than others, while others can be done without preparation. Examples of simple and easy mindfulness techniques include:
- Sitting outside and focusing on all your senses, such as touch, smell, etc.
- Focusing on the present moment and not on the past or future
- Eating a meal and focusing only on it
- Being kind to yourself in the present moment
- Focusing on your breathing and the sensation of breath entering and leaving the body
Some mindfulness techniques are more focused and require practice. Sometimes these mindfulness techniques are taught in groups and overseen by a professional. With enough practice and instruction, these techniques can be performed by yourself. Some examples of structured mindfulness techniques include:
- Meditation
- Focused breathing exercises
- Yoga
- Creating art as part of art therapy
There are several different forms of meditation, all of which fulfill a specific need. A mental health care provider can help you find the right meditation technique if you wish to use it as part of your recovery journey. Yoga is also situational, as it involves using the body to move and hold poses. There are some forms of yoga specifically created for those with limited mobility. It’s important to use professional oversight if you want to begin to practice yoga. In general, it’s always a good idea to speak with your treatment provider before you try something new as they may be able to give you guidance on proper usage and techniques.
How Mindfulness Techniques Are Taught at Painted Desert Recovery
Mindfulness is an important part of treatment at Painted Desert Recovery. Care is taken to teach each client how to use these techniques to quiet their minds and focus on the now. It’s okay if you don’t know how to utilize mindfulness at first. You will be shown how to use it through offered therapies at Painted Desert Recovery.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy often used to help clients practice mindfulness. The purpose of CBT is to identify harmful thought and behavior patterns to free the client from them. Mindfulness is often used in CBT to quiet harmful thoughts by focusing on the present, especially for those struggling with trauma. Harmful behaviors, such as skin picking, are helped by focusing on sensations that can distract from these harmful urges. Mindfulness is often taught as part of group therapy, which encourages the sharing of experiences and gathered wisdom.
Art therapy is another therapy at Painted Desert Recovery that promotes and teaches mindfulness to clients. Clients can practice mindfulness by focusing on the art they are creating and releasing negative thoughts and feelings into their chosen medium. Many find enjoyment in the creation process, as it is grounding and is solid proof that they exist in the present. If you have ever utilized an adult coloring book or doodled to relax and “zone out,” you have practiced a form of mindfulness.
Clients at Painted Desert Recovery are also able to take advantage of the beautiful nature of Utah to find healing and peace. Walking meditation is a common practice where clients practice mindfulness as they walk. Clients can find pockets of quiet where they can reflect and relax. These moments are essential in preventing treatment burnout and teaching healthy self-soothing techniques. Remember that anyone can recover from addiction. Utilizing techniques such as mindfulness can reduce fear and stress, allowing you to appreciate your recovery journey.
Mindfulness is the art of being in the here and now. It’s being aware of how you are feeling and how you relate to the world in the present moment. Mindfulness is an important part of addiction treatment, allowing clients the ability to regulate their emotions and focus on living each day at a time. That’s why mindfulness techniques are taught as part of treatment at Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah. Here, clients receive training in skills that not only help them recover from addiction but stay in recovery long after treatment is finished. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait. Call Painted Desert Recovery today at (844) 540-0353.
