Presently, people are dealing with record-high levels of stress. In fact, Newsweek reported that 8.3 million Americans suffer from severe emotional distress. People have used drugs and alcohol to relieve stress for centuries, but Too many individuals cope with fear by drinking alcohol or using drugs. However, there are several calming techniques that are much healthier. That’s where the mindfulness vs. meditation question comes into play.
Mindfulness involves being present and aware of your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings without being consumed by them. Being mindful takes deliberation in the beginning; but, with enough effort and insight, it becomes part of your unconscious approach to everyday life. On the other hand, meditation involves spiritually removing yourself from your surroundings in order to focus on your breathing and body.
You might concentrate on an object, your breath, or a positive thought. It helps relieve stress by living in the present rather than the past or future. In contrast, meditation is a broad umbrella term that includes mindfulness and more. Both mindfulness training and meditation are helpful to people working to overcome addiction.
Differences Between Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation is used in Eastern Medicine techniques and is rooted in Buddhism. There is visualization meditation where you act out your goals in your mind. Meanwhile, there’s meditative yoga that involves stretching the body to relax stress points. Other types of meditation include tantra, body scan, mantra, and chakra. Thus, mindfulness is just one example of meditation.
Another big difference between mindfulness vs. meditation is how they’re practiced. Meditation is frequently a seated practice where you fold your legs and close your eyes. Often, meditation involves repeating phrases like “Ohm to focus. Yet, mindfulness can be done anywhere and anyhow. It’s simply attuning each of your senses, including your sight, on what’s currently happening.
Common Health Benefits of Practicing Both
Of course, weighing the unique characteristics of mindfulness vs. meditation is helpful. But, the two can actually be very beneficial together. For one thing, both are linked to improved sleeping patterns for quality rest. Similarly, mindfulness and meditation heighten your mental clarity. Better attentiveness will aid your school or work performance. Moreover, you’ll become more self-aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Physically, meditation and mindfulness often lower blood high pressure. People who practice these exercises have better blood sugar levels. We know the mind and body are connected in more ways than humans understand. Mindfulness and meditation can also help people become present and centered. Research also reveals weight-loss benefits from more self-control. Likewise, mindfulness and meditation can help people cope with chronic pain. That’s especially helpful for individuals with addictions to opioids. Plus, relieving tension can help prevent recurring migraines.
Learn Stress Coping Skills at Crestview
Considering giving mindfulness or meditation a try? Then Crestview Recovery has friendly staff ready to teach you. Notably, our Portland drug rehab offers mindfulness training sessions. Our treatment staff members show clients how to live in the present. We find that mindfulness and meditation reduce cravings while improving client mood. Above all, we have a commitment to achieving sobriety with quality services, such as:
- Meth addiction rehab
- Cocaine addiction rehab
- Alcohol addiction rehab
- Prescription painkillers rehab
Holistic Treatment
In addition to addiction and dual diagnosis treatment, we also offer primary mental healthcare at Crestview recovery. Some supplemental therapies we offer come in the form of holistic mental health treatment, which supplements evidence-based psychotherapy. Holistic therapy may include yoga, nutrition, fitness, art therapy, music therapy, or meditation.
Don’t let unchecked stress fuel a dangerous drug addiction. Rather, take control and come to Crestview Recovery. Our Oregon addiction treatment center uses meditative practices that guide clients to inner peace. Call 866.262.0531 right away to start getting clean.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
