Do you ever find yourself replaying mistakes you made in the past? Most everyone does—and a person in recovery from a substance use disorder could easily fall into the habit of revisiting bad choices made while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That kind of regretful look backwards is known as rumination.
Do you ever find yourself concerned about what might happen in the future? Most everyone does—and a person in recovery from a substance use disorder could easily fall into the habit of looking ahead with dread. That kind of thinking about the future is, of course, called worrying.
Neither rumination nor worrying serves you well in recovery. If you get bogged down in regret, you might be tempted to return to drugs or alcohol to try to make those feelings go away. And if you allow yourself to constantly feel anxiety about the future, you might be tempted to return to drugs or alcohol for the same reason.
It is better, then, to try to live in the present moment—especially since in the present moment, you are in recovery. But given most everyone’s tendency to ruminate and worry, is it even possible to stay present?
Fortunately, it is. In this post, we are going to consider two practices that can help you learn to be more present more of the time.
Practicing Mindfulness as a Way to Stay Present
Mindfulness meditation practice is deceptively simple. All you need to do is sit comfortably, close your eyes if that is comfortable for you, and bring your attention to your breathing.
Nothing to it, right? Well, it turns out that most of the time, our minds are all too eager to go running off in all kinds of directions. But if you stick with mindfulness practice on a regular basis, you will likely find that your mind is less busy and better able to stay in the present as you focus on your breath. You can develop a habit of letting thoughts and feelings come and go without getting entangled with them and letting them distract you.
As you develop your mindfulness practice, you might find that you are better able to stay present in the moment during your daily activities and interactions. Bringing the habits of mindfulness to your overall life means less rumination, less worrying, and more calmness. You might discover that you are more contemplative and less reactive—and that can serve you well in a general sense and along your recovery journey specifically.
Here is an easy and brief mindfulness exercise to get you started.
Practicing Yoga as a Way to Stay Present
Yoga might be thought of as a kind of mindfulness practice that includes a physical element. While yoga has lots of benefits in terms of fitness and flexibility, it is also an activity that encourages you to be in the present moment. As you move from pose to pose, you have the opportunity to focus on your body and breath—and that provides the same sort of centering that mindfulness can provide.
As with mindfulness, a regular yoga practice can help you bring the benefits of staying present in the moment to your day-to-day life. It can help you leave worry and regret behind more regularly—and as you improve your fitness and learn to stay present, you support your recovery as well.
Here is an easy and brief yoga exercise to get you started.
Mindfulness and Yoga Go Great Together
You might find that mindfulness practice fits well with your lifestyle and goals. Or you might find that yoga is a better fit for you. But the two practices do not have to be mutually exclusive. That is to say, you can benefit from a regular mindfulness practice and a regular yoga practice.
Individually or together, mindfulness and yoga can support your recovery and keep you grounded in the moment rather than letting your mind dwell on the past (which you can’t change) or the future (which you can’t predict). We encourage you to try one or both practices soon.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
At Bel Aire Recovery Center, located near Wichita, Kansas, we help individuals make an essential change in their lives. We provide personalized treatment for substance use disorders as well as treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders (like anxiety, depression, trauma-based disorders, and more).
We are committed to help you right away through medically supervised detoxification followed by a robust rehabilitation program. And we are committed to providing ongoing support and resources via our aftercare programs.
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can feel as though you are trapped with little hope for the future. Effective treatment—like the treatment we offer at Bel Aire Recovery Center—can restore your hope and help you build the life you deserve. The first step is up to you, and the time to get started is right now. We are ready when you are.
