Morning Meditations

Many addiction treatment centers and sober living houses alike use morning meditations as part of their recovery programs.

About Meditation

There are different types of meditation, but the common goal is personal care of the mind and spirit. In the last ten years, hundreds of studies tout the benefits of meditation. For example, practicing daily meditation has been proven to boost physical health by increasing immune function and decreasing pain and inflammation. Additionally, research shows that meditation improves a person’s emotional well-being through increasing positive emotion and decreasing depression, anxiety, and stress.

Early recovery often includes periods of discomfort, both physically and mentally. Most people in recovery are extremely intolerant of feeling unpleasant because those feelings spark cravings for their substance of choice. Learning to ride out these feelings and cope with them differently isn’t always easy. Meditation is a tool that can help those in recovery begin to make these changes and lessen the uneasiness associated with those changes.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a technique that helps us become aware of what is already true so that we purposely pay attention to the present moment.

It promotes relaxation, understanding, and introspection, without judgment.

Why are morning meditations important? In a world where we hit the ground running, taking the time to get centered before embarking on our day is important. For the person in recovery, it can be crucial. A morning meditation can ensure that you set the tone for your entire day, helping you to be focused, present, and ultimately more optimistic.

Your morning meditations may look different from those your peers practice, and they might change over time. Meditation is meant to clear your mind to help you have more clarity of intention; this takes some practice. If you find yourself struggling with your initial morning meditations, books and websites can offer ideas and techniques. Whatever your routine turns out to be, take the time to sit still, breathe, and just be.