Meditation can be profoundly beneficial. This is especially true for people who are suffering from addiction, mental health issues, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The lasting effects of meditation can be significant, as meditation can improve nearly every area of a person’s life functioning. When people commit to a consistent meditation practice, this can pave the way to long-lasting peace, happiness, and recovery success.
The Effects of Meditation: Its History and Roots
Meditation is an ancient Eastern practice that dates back thousands of years. It originally appeared in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. Today, it is practiced the world over thanks to its multitude of benefits.
According to a 2015 study in Ayu (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), the practice of meditation “originated in the ancient Vedic times of India and is described in the ancient Vedic texts.” It is also one of the modalities used in Ayurveda, which is a natural healthcare system that also originated in the Vedic times of India.
Meditation’s Modern Day Popularity
Thousands of people around the world turn to meditation each day to alleviate stress, create inner peace, and heal their mind, body, and spirit. Addiction, mental health, and trauma treatment centers have even been incorporating this practice into their curriculum over the past several decades.
Even though it dates back thousands of years, meditation continues to be an increasingly popular practice. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) even cited statistics from a 2022 survey that showed the number of adults practicing meditation more than doubled between 2002 and 2022. These figures are just in the United States population alone.
The Many Positive Effects of Meditation
Meditation can actually be considered an umbrella term for various techniques. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), these techniques can include “mantra meditation, relaxation response, mindfulness meditation, Zen, and Buddhist meditation.” No matter the approach, meditation has profound and lasting effects on the mind, body, and spirit.
Why is meditation so popular in recovery? For one, its effects are widespread and promote positive, lasting change in a person’s overall well-being. When it comes to people in recovery, these benefits can be even greater. Just the simple act of creating a new daily habit of meditation can help a person rebuild their life after difficult struggles or traumatic events.
Improved Physical Health
According to an article published in Cureus in 2023, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has even shown that people who meditate exhibit “positive brain changes” along with improved brain functioning. The same study goes on to mention even more effects of meditation. These include improving the immune system and inflammatory responses, as well as promoting healthy aging.
Meditation is known as a great sleep aid. Better sleep can help boost energy levels and metabolism. This can leave a person feeling more healthy and focused throughout the day. Cureus says the effects of meditation even extend to “various multi-factorial diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and fibromyalgia.”
Improved Mental Health
The effects of meditation on mental health can last a lifetime. This practice has been used in conjunction with other holistic medicines for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder (SUD), and a variety of mental health conditions.
According to the above-mentioned article published in Cureus, the “positive emotion” brought about by meditation can help address various mental health issues like social anxiety disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Meditation can cause a positive ripple effect in every area of people’s lives even if they just practice it for five minutes a day.
The Effects of Meditation on Long-Term Recovery
Meditation is a positive habit that can be used to replace unhealthy habits like addiction. This is a big reason why this practice has been popping up in so many recovery centers across the country.
Those in recovery are no strangers to negative feelings like anxiety. Thankfully, meditation can help people manage these feelings and promote deep inner peace.
Success in recovery will depend on a person’s ability to set both long- and short-term goals and then stick to them. Meditation can actually be a key player in this, giving people a sense of purpose, boosting their self-esteem, and helping them stay focused on the road ahead.
The Practice of Meditation at The Guest House
Meditation is not just a practice. It is also a state of being. Here at The Guest House, we offer meditation combined with a wide array of other therapies and tools. Our trauma-specific program was created to help people heal their minds, bodies, and spirits as one.
At The Guest House, meditation sessions are led by trained staff who guide clients through proper techniques designed to be highly therapeutic for whatever condition they might face. There is also no place like The Guest House to holistically heal. Our 52-acre estate provides the perfect backdrop to help people find inner peace, empowerment, and that beautiful state of “Zen.”
Holistic Healing Modalities at The Guest House
Here at The Guest House, we believe in a wide range of comprehensive care. We implement a unique plan for each individual. Meditation is just one of our many therapies that can help people overcome addiction, mental health concerns, and trauma-related conditions.
Everyone’s recovery journey is uniquely their own. This is why everyone needs to explore the tools and modalities that work best for them. No matter what people’s struggles may be, they can find hope, healing, and lasting success at The Guest House.
The positive effects of meditation are widespread and long-lasting. This ancient Eastern practice is known to promote overall wellness and strengthen your sense of inner peace. It even has a wide variety of benefits for both your physical and mental health, making it a wonderful tool to support your recovery. Here at The Guest House, meditation is an integral part of our cutting-edge program. We offer a holistic blend of both traditional and innovative therapies that will help you ease anxiety, rediscover yourself, and heal on a deep spiritual level. Exploring meditation combined with our other therapies can help you create lasting success. To learn more, give us a call today at (855) 483-7800.