What Does “Getting Centered” Really Mean?

What Does “Getting Centered” Really Mean?

Apprehension creeps up, eroding your sense of self-worth and self-esteem. The next thing that happens almost unconsciously is that your misusing drugs and alcohol has progressed to the point where you are completely self-absorbed - with their only concern being how to obtain their next fix.

Spirituality can be an effective concept and life practice in mental health and substance abuse recovery to guide you toward optimal health. As spirituality becomes a core component of yourday to day, it's important to understand how spirituality can affect specific health conditions and behaviors. Walsh (2011) outlined the lifestyle elements that influence physical and mental health, and he acknowledges that religious and spiritual beliefs play a crucial role.

According to research, those in recovery who report higher degrees of spirituality and religious affiliation have a more positive outlook on life, sense more social support, and experience less stress, worry and loneliness.

In order to stay sober, it is believed that a conception must be reestablished within the domain of discovering a Higher Power. Using the vocabulary of "getting centered" is the greatest approach to define this notion without hurting or excluding agnostics or atheists.

By setting aside the highs and lows of life, a focus point might assist someone who is stressed or feeling emotional in regaining balance. The challenge is, how do you locate your center?

 

Visualize it.

Visualization emphasizes on the mind and mental images of what you hope to see in the future. Using these pictures in a contemplative, therapeutic manner might assist someone in capturing the aspects of their aspirations that they desire to see fulfilled.

Visualizing your progress in addiction treatment might assist them in identifying what is essential to you and creating a mental scenario in which you can achieve this accomplishment. Even just imagining this accomplishment on a regular basis might help you expect positive outcomes rather than negative ones.

Using nature or a Higher Power to foster the positive sentiments you seek can help you achieve your goals. By using something you can picture in your mind that is calming and soothing may take whatever stressors you have to that center instead of having to react in a way that does not model harmony.

Proper visualization may help you channel all of you energy into a peaceful, enjoyable experience. Imagining success in a given circumstance while also giving yourself time to digest stress can help you achieve these good outcomes.

Simply exposing yourself to positive imagery, whether in your thinking or in physical form, can start to teach your mind to recognize these beneficial impacts. The benefits of visualization may be applied to your daily life and worldview.

 

Listen for it.

In the same way that physical sensations or the breath may be utilized as meditation objects, sound can be employed as well. Relaxing and openly focusing our minds on a perceived sound, or even an imagined one - the goal is to listen without analyzing, criticizing, or becoming emotionally involved.

This is a totally different connection with sound than we are used to. In most cases, there are background noises that we ignore, sounds that we tune into and try to identify, sounds that we appreciate and seek out, and sounds that we reject and want to avoid. Every sound we hear must be kept in our consciousness without being engaged in a habitual manner.

When you need to be distracted during a stressful episode, use guided meditation or music to help you stay calm. When you have the opportunity, put on your headphones and use an app on your phone to listen to a specific music, relaxing mood sounds, or a guided meditation to help you in regaining your focus.

 

Speak it.

Whether you are using prayers or a mantra, saying out loud what you are hoping for can put out your wishes into the Universe to come into fruition. You could think this is ridiculous since it feels like you're simply talking to yourself, but don't dismiss anything until you've given it a go.

Even if you merely say "one day at a time" once a day, you send out positive energy into the universe - begin small and go toward your objective of accepting what you're doing. Believing that you can accomplish it builds faith. Never underestimate the power of your words or how simple mantras may completely transform your life.

Positive words have profound effects on our attitude and thoughts. Emoto (2014) stated that people who can develop positive thinking will more likely have a healthy, happy, and successful life. Speaking positive words to yourself can physically change your mood, motivation, and energy because our bodies are  made of 60% water. When you speak with positivity and express gratitude out loud you not only improve your mood, thoughts and feelings; you also change your outlook, environment, and energy.

 

Write it.

Writing has numerous therapeutic advantages to persons in recovery even if it won't solve substance misuse disorders on its own. Writing may be a powerful tool for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, even if you've never had the impulse to scribble down your ideas before.

While everybody may benefit from writing during recovery, people with more introverted tendencies will find it more beneficial. If you find it difficult to open up in a group setting, writing down your ideas may be a helpful method to work through problems on your own terms - a method to open up without fear, worry, or shame might help you stay on track in your recovery.

Writing out your feelings and ideas might give you a sense of liberation and release. Recovery journaling is a valuable tool for promoting recovery where you have the freedom to express your pleasures, emotions, and frustrations through this procedure. There is no obligation to write about anything, and no one will judge you if you do.

Using these methods to discover the balance you've been looking for is critical to achieving it. The difference between worrying and knowing that everything will turn out just as it should is "getting centered". Getting focused is only one of several actions you'll need to take to achieve long-term healing. However, it is an important step that must be highlighted.

If you're having trouble with finding your "balance", Solstice Pacific is here for you. We'd be delighted to provide you with more recommendations for locating or maintaining your center.

REFERENCES:

  1. Amato, P., & Szydlowski, S. (2015). Spirituality in Addiction and Mental Health: A Practical Case Approach. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 5(6). http://www.aijcrnet.com/journals/Vol_5_No_6_December_2015/1.pdf
  2. Emoto, Masaru, 1943-2014. (2004). The hidden messages in water. Hillsboro, Or. : [Emeryville, CA] :Beyond Words Pub. ; Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West,
  3. Walsh, R. (2011). Lifestyle and mental health. American Psychologist, 66(7), 579-592.
  4. Pardini, D. A., Plante, T. G., Sherman, A., & Stump, J. E. (2000). Religious faith and spirituality in substance abuse recovery determining the mental health benefits. Journal of Substance Abuse, 19, 347-354.

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