People often turn to drugs and alcohol as a method to help shut their minds off during times of stress. You might have developed an addiction when you couldn’t seem to escape from the constant stresses that happen in your life. You may also use drugs to stop yourself from ruminating on past mistakes or issues that you cannot change. While this method does work temporarily, it often becomes evident that there is not any chemical that can help you escape from your thoughts.
In fact, using drugs to escape from your problems often leads to more issues, and you might find that you keep reliving the past even when you are under the influence of substances. The question of how can a rehab program teach you to live in the moment instead of inside of your head actually indicates that you are tapping into your true needs. Feeling stuck in your head is a common experience that sometimes requires professional help to address.
There are many reasons why you might feel like you cannot escape from your thoughts, and each one has a solution. Rehab programs offer several services that teach you how to begin living in the moment so that you can manage your addiction.
Identify Coexisting Mental Health Issues
Addictions are often fueled by unaddressed mental health issues. People who have experienced trauma may have PTSD that causes them to continuously relive the events that occurred in the past. With this condition, you might have flashbacks or nightmares. You may also constantly think about what you might have done different to change things. Anxiety can make you feel like you are trapped in your head by an endless stream of worries.
This condition along with depression can cause you to fall into a pattern of negative self-talk that damages your self-esteem and overall wellbeing. When you go to a rehab program, one of the first things that happens is that you receive a mental health assessment. Identifying which issues that you are having helps you to understand your symptoms and learn ways to manage them. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy might be used to help you notice when you are having a negative thought that impacts your ability to stay sober.
Having mental health diagnosis is common. Some conditions are temporary while others require lifelong attention. Your therapist will help you determine the best plan for treating any coexisting conditions.
Discover the Power of Mindfulness
Mindfulness training is a form of therapy that helps you learn how to shut off your interior thoughts and focus on what is happening in the world. You might have heard this called grounding or other terms that reflect how you can deal with your anxiety by noticing things within your environment.
Mindfulness can take many different forms, and you may develop this practice through the following services.
- intensive counseling to identify triggers and responses
- opportunities to practice meditation
- yoga and exercise classes that are offered by your rehab
- sensory experiences that help you focus on your physical body
Mindfulness reminds you to live in the moment by helping you to focus on physical things that are happening all around you. This may involve looking for several different things that you can see, touch, and hear at the same time. Or, it may involve focusing on a single element in your environment such as the water rushing over your hands while you do the dishes. This does take time to develop, and you will begin to take your first steps towards learning how to focus your mind during your rehab stay.
Develop New Hobbies and Social Connections
Learning to live in the moment also means that you need to be actively involved in your environment. Too often, people lose their sense of who they are when they use drugs or alcohol for a prolonged period of time. You may no longer even know what brings you joy in life. Addiction treatment centers require you to put in hard work during your therapy sessions, but you are also encouraged to enjoy some downtime.
During your free time, you get to explore new hobbies that make it worth living in the moment. From feeling the coolness of the water as you glide through the pool to enjoying a few moments of laughter with your sober friends, it is easier to get out of your head when you have exciting distractions awaiting you each day. Are you ready to start living in the moment? We can help you get out of your head and start living the life you deserve. Give us a call today at 844-639-8371!