Here is something to consider: How often would you say your mind is focused on the present moment? There are likely times when your mind is ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. When your mind is looking backwards or forwards, it is not really present in, well, the present.
That can be a problem for all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons—including for those in recovery from a substance use disorder. In the case of those who are in recovery, too much focus on past mistakes or future worries can chip away at the foundation of your efforts to leave drugs or alcohol behind you.
As a result, it is a good idea to find ways to keep yourself centered in the present as much as possible. Two practices that can help you achieve this are mindfulness and yoga.
Taking the Time to Focus on the Moment
Mindfulness practice involves sitting quietly, focusing on your breath, and letting your thoughts and emotions come and go without getting caught up in them or judging them. That might sound both easy and hard at the same time—and it is true that sitting and breathing tends to be easy but letting thoughts and emotions pass by can be harder. With some guidance, however, you can get better at it—and as you do, you may well find that it starts to become easier for you to be present and less reactive in other situations that arise during your day. Here is a simple, short guided mindfulness exercise to give you an idea of what the practice entails.
Yoga adds a physical aspect to the proceedings. The practice of yoga also involves being present in the moment as you move your body through a series of poses. Yoga is good for your flexibility and strength while also giving you the chance to learn to be more present. Here is a beginner’s yoga session that provides a sense of the practice.
These are practices that do not require much in the way of equipment and that you can develop at your own pace—supporting your recovery efforts as you do so.
That said, you might have some concerns about mindfulness and yoga. Let’s take a look at three common issues people raise.
Some People Have Suspicions
Many people—perhaps including you—feel a little funny about mindfulness, yoga, or both. Some people just think the practices are a little too “woo-woo.” Others are uncomfortable with the fact that these practices arose in the East before gaining a foothold in the Western world. Still others wonder if practicing mindfulness and yoga runs counter to their religious beliefs.
Let’s address each of these concerns.
- It’s all too woo-woo for me. This concern arises when someone thinks mindfulness or yoga are mystical practices. But as generally practiced in the United States, they simply are not. Mindfulness is a physical and mental activity, but it is not a magical or supernatural one. The same is true of yoga.
- I think the Eastern origins are sketchy. It is certainly the case that many people tend to think of world history as two stories—one of the Western world and one of the Eastern world. We will set aside all that we leave out (the global South, for example), and just address this dichotomy. Some people in the West certainly look askance at Eastern ideas—or at least some Eastern ideas. As a rule, most people in the West are fine with things like paper, algebra, the compass, hospitals, and gunpowder (arguably a little too fine with that last one). And we have not even mentioned the food. A blanket distrust of ideas from the East just does not hold up.
- These things might violate my religion. People with an established faith practice of one kind or another are sometimes concerned that mindfulness or yoga are religious practices in conflict with their own faith. It is true that you could trace the origins of these practices to Hinduism and Buddhism, and that can cause concern among Christians. Here, for example, is an article titled with a simple question: Can Christians Do Yoga? In the end, however, we would argue that both practices can be useful to individuals from any faith tradition without conflict.
We would encourage you to set these concerns aside and give mindfulness or yoga (or both) a try. You can always stop if they turn out not to be for you. But there is a good chance you will find that these practices help you as you work to keep your recovery intact.
You Are Always on Our Minds
At The Aviary Recovery Center, located near St. Louis, Missouri, we are 100 percent committed to helping those we serve reclaim their lives from a substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health disorders. We create personalized treatment plans designed to meet your specific needs. Those plans are evidence-based and informed by our high levels of experience and expertise. You will also benefit from our ethos of empathy. You will never be judged here.
If you are ready to make a change, The Aviary Recovery Center—consistently recognized as one of the top substance use treatment facilities in the country—is ready to help.
