Yoga for addiction recovery is a great way to help improve physical and mental well-being while promoting relaxation, which are normally things we don’t actually care about. Now, we are in recovery, and it’s time. It’s just time.
Yoga can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings and understand how they affect our behavior. It can also help us to develop a more positive self-image and to feel more confident and capable.
I had never had any interest in Yoga, like ever. When I had done it a few times while in “finishing school” to get out of the unit, and it wasn’t particularly difficult for me, but because of my self-image issues, I didn’t feel mentally comfortable doing it. I felt like I must have looked stupid, and I thought I didn’t need any help in that area. I did a good enough job making myself look “stupid” on my own without it. Lol,
When I first began this journey of recovery, many friends and family recommended that I try Yoga, and I tried to avoid it at all costs, and for the most part, I succeeded. Until one day, mid-spiritual awakening, I was watching a YouTube video that suggested Yoga to clear the mind. I NEEDED to clear my mind desperately. How would I ever astral project if I couldn’t clear my mind? It was as simple as that.
I have been doing it three to five times a week ever since. I LOVE it, and you will, too.
Here are the four reasons:
1. Yoga for Addiction Recovery Can Help Calm and Focus Our Monkey Brains
Yoga has long been known to help calm and focus the mind, especially for those recovering from addiction. For those of us in recovery or in active substance use disorder, the stresses of daily life can be overwhelming and lead to a relapse or continued use. It can help provide a sense of calm and focus, allowing us to deal better with our triggers and cravings.
Yoga helps to calm the mind by teaching individuals how to focus on their breath and being present in the moment. This can be extremely helpful in moments of stress or anxiety.
2. Yoga Eases Anxiety and Stress
Yoga can help to reduce anxiety by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate the nervous system. Research has shown that it can be an effective treatment for anxiety and may be especially helpful for us when recovering from addiction.
Yoga works by calming the nervous system and helping the body relax. It also helps to improve breathing and increase focus and concentration. These benefits can be beneficial for people in recovery who may be struggling with anxiety and stress.
Kundalini yoga, specifically targeting the nervous system, is a form of yoga. The benefits of this type of yoga for anxiety and stress relief are numerous. It can help to calm and focus the mind, as well as to release tension from the body.
This type of yoga can also help to increase energy and stamina levels, which can be helpful for those of us recovering from addiction. Kundalini yoga can also help to improve sleep quality and to reduce stress levels.
3. Improves Sleep Quality
This is crucial for those of us who often struggle with insomnia and other sleep issues. I have personally struggled with insomnia since childhood. It is well-known that sleep plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. For example, getting a good night’s sleep can help improve our mood, increase our energy levels, and boost our immune system.
As you know, sleep is kind of non-negotiable. We need it, and poor sleep quality can increase the risk of use and negatively impact our mental and physical health.
Yoga can help improve sleep quality in several ways. First, it can help reduce stress and anxiety, which I already mentioned, and it also helps to enhance the quality of sleep by promoting relaxation and improving sleep habits. Finally, it can help enhance sleep quality by reducing pain and improving overall health. More importantly, it can boost self-esteem and body image.
4. Improves Self-Esteem & Body Satisfaction
Self-esteem is often an issue for us because of the negative messages we have internalized about ourselves during our addictions. These messages can be about our worth as a person, our value in the world, and our ability to be successful in life. Yoga can help counter these messages by providing a space for us to reconnect with our bodies and breathe positively.
In a study published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, people who participated in yoga significantly increased self-esteem and body satisfaction, and I am ALL about this. We NEED this so badly. Anything that helps with one of our biggest commonalities, Self-loathing, and it definitely has helped with mine. Work in progress right here.
Yoga can also help to improve body image. As I mentioned, most of us, if not all, often have a negative view of our bodies, thinking we are not good enough or do not deserve love and care. Yoga can help to change this by providing a space for us to appreciate our bodies for what they are and to see the beauty in ourselves.
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Yoga can be a valuable tool for boosting self-esteem and improving body image in people in or recoveries. It can help counter negative messages about worth and value and allow us to appreciate our bodies in a new way.
Conclusion
Yoga has many benefits for everyone, but particularly those of us in recovery. It helps to improve physical and mental health, builds coping skills, and provides a sense of community. Additionally, yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety, two common triggers for relapse. Not to mention the flexibility. It happens really fast, and it just feels so good and healthy!
Yoga can be a valuable tool in maintaining sobriety. The physical and mental benefits of yoga can help to improve overall health and well-being, while the coping skills learned can be applied to managing triggers and cravings. Additionally, the sense of community that yoga provides can be beneficial in helping us feel connected and supported.
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