What is Mindfulness and Why is it Important?

The importance of mindfulness in today’s culture can’t be understated. Mediation programs have become popular in recent years and many of its practitioners stand behind the practice as a solid tool for recovery.

A 2017 survey showed that the percentage of adults who practice some form of meditation, including mindfulness, tripled in 2018 from 4% to 14%.

But does mindfulness actually work? And how is mindfulness helpful?

What is Mindfulness and Why is it Important?

Mindfulness is a holistic practice that consists of achieving a mental state that focuses on the present moment. 

It is a practice of self-awareness that can be used to manage stress and improve well-being which involves focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. 

During a mindfulness session, the practitioner acknowledges and accepts one’s feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. 

The practice of mindfulness can improve an individual’s ability to cope with difficult emotions and bring balance to their lives. Practitioners tend to achieve a state of mindfulness through meditation or yoga. 

The benefits of mindfulness have also been demonstrated in other areas as well, including mental health, physical health, relationships, and work performance. 

How to Practice Mindfulness in Daily Life

Mindfulness has been around for centuries and in recent history, it has been practiced across numerous cultures across the globe. It is a skill that can be developed through regular practice.

Practitioners can achieve a state of mindfulness in many ways. Some of them include:

• Meditation (a form of mindfulness)
• Breathing exercises
• Mindful eating
• Writing in a journal
• Reading poetry or literature
• Yoga

Mindfulness and Mental Health

“Mindfulness” has become a popular buzzword in the mental health and personal development community.

Mindfulness and mental health are closely related since the practice is a form of meditation. It can help patients offer many of the same benefits that meditation does. Skeptics may look at this holistic practice and ask themselves how is mindfulness helpful?

They might at first not fully realize the relationship between mindfulness and mental health and the benefits it can offer.

The practice has been shown to have many benefits both physical and mental.

Some of the most common benefits of mindfulness include:

• Helps with stress by reducing the levels of cortisol in your body
• Improves concentration by helping you focus on the present moment without distractions
• Helps with managing emotions by allowing you to confront any negative feelings that come up without getting overwhelmed
• Increases happiness by bringing awareness to what’s going on in your life right now.
• Improves decision-making skills by helping clear the mind
• It could help relieve pain in some instances.

How is Mindfulness Helpful With Addiction?

The importance of mindfulness is also noticeable when it comes to fighting addiction. It’s an important tool for individuals struggling with it as it can help them gain insight into their triggers and how to cope with them in healthy ways. 

The practice can also help addicts by supporting them in becoming aware of their inner selves and developing healthier coping mechanisms—making it a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. 

Mindfulness can also help addicts become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and actions so that they can make better choices that can lead to a healthier life and avoid relapse episodes.

Its proven stress reduction capabilities can also help addicts stay away from a slip.

Mindfulness in Rehab

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. 

It’s one of the many holistic practices employed by rehab centers to help addicts manage their condition. 

The practice is taught by specialists and can serve addicts as a lifelong tool of recovery.

Picking the right rehab center that supports holistic practices can make all the difference.

If a loved one or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse then Elysium Healthcare can help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in holistic addiction treatments and teaches its patients the practice of mindfulness.

Contact Elysium today for an assessment.