The world is often very fast-paced and full of potential stressors. As people busy themselves with their lives, they sometimes forget to be present. Add in the fact that we are in the midst of a stressful pandemic, and we see that many people are just going through the motions, oftentimes with anxiety and fear. Further, unhealthy habits are often formed or worsened during times of stress. Being mindful can be a very powerful tool to counter all of the stressors in one’s life, no matter what is happening in our world.
In addition to simply wanting to live a more present life, you may also be struggling with situational anxiety, mental health issues, addiction, or pain. Whatever the case may be, Chicago mindfulness training can have a very powerful impact on your health and wellbeing. There are a variety of mindfulness centers and studios available in Chicago to help teach you how to adopt mindfulness practices into your everyday life.
What is Mindfulness?
Simply put, mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts and the present moment, and it can have a great impact on your body, mind, and spirit. It can include focusing on your breath, keeping your thoughts in the present moment, letting go of judgment, being intentional with our actions, and accepting moments as they are.
How Do I Practice Mindfulness?
Taking short pauses in our daily life or incorporating a regular meditation practice are great ways to practice mindfulness. The short pause can be as easy as stopping whatever you are doing and embracing the moment: Listen to the sounds; feel your breath; look at your surroundings; be mindful of your thoughts. Are your thoughts obsessive and critical? If so, pay attention to that and try to be more intentional and less judgmental with your thoughts.
Another effective way to practice mindfulness is through meditation. A meditation does not have to involve going to a holistic Chicago meditation studio for a 45-minute guided class, it can also mean that you have a one-minute walking meditation as you head from your car to your home after school or work. During these meditation moments, we release judgment, observe our minds, and ultimately focus on our calming breath.
Why is Mindfulness Important?
Mindfulness is important for everyone as it impacts the body both mentally and physically. It can calm the mind and heal the body while actually impacting brain’s activity, too. Being mindful can alter how you view the world and how you view yourself in it. It is important because it teaches you to be present and how to only respond to what is actually happening. It also provides the tools to enter a meditative state, where true calm and peacefulness can be experienced.
It is also an important aspect of recovery as mindfulness enables one to be intentional with actions. Instead of being reactive or habitual, being mindful gives people the tools to act with intention in the moment. It helps people to remove thoughts of guilt, judgment, shame, and criticism and replace those thoughts with acceptance and balance. If someone has had a lot of triggering thoughts and situations in the past, practicing mindfulness can help them to better manage those triggers and avoid unhealthy behaviors that may follow. By practicing mindfulness techniques, people in recovery are able to see that they do have control of their thoughts and actions and can choose a path of health and healing.
What Does Mindfulness Look Like at CRC?
At CRC Institute in Chicago, we believe in the power of mindfulness and its ability to transform lives. People come to us for a variety of reasons, ranging from wanting to optimize their health to wanting to overcome an addiction. Whatever the case may be, we believe that being mindful is an important part of the equation. Our beautiful and welcoming Chicago mindfulness studio provides a place of calm where guests can take a meditation class with a certified guide, join a yoga class, or simply sit alone on a cushion for some contemplative moments. Whatever your needs may be, the team at Chicago Rehab Center is committed to creating a long-term plan and working with your family, as well, as we work together toward a continuum of care. Our goal is whole-person healing, and we aim to provide you with the tools and confidence to travel along a path of health and mindfulness.
For more information about Mindfulness treatment in Chicago, contact CRC Institute.
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, is the medical director at CRC Institute, where she is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at the Institute. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
