Meditation

Overview

Meditation is a mind and body practice that has been used for centuries to promote calmness, physical relaxation, improve psychological balance, cope with illness, and enhance overall health and well-being. There are many types of meditation, but most share a quiet setting, a comfortable posture, focused attention, and an open attitude. Meditation encourages a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Some types of meditation include guided meditations, where the meditator is led by a facilitator, mindfulness-based meditation, which encourages awareness of the present moment, and mantra-based meditations, where focus is centered around a repeated word or phrase. In the context of addiction treatment, meditation can be a useful tool in helping to reduce cravings, manage stress, and enhance psychological well-being. It provides a natural method for managing anxiety and depression, which can often co-occur with addiction and may lead to substance use as a form of self-medication.