Mindfulness | Benefits and How it is Used

Mindfulness is rooted in ancient meditation practices and is an amazing way to bring calm and clarity to your mind. Today, mindfulness practices are often used in addiction recovery, teaching you to stay calm and collected no matter what comes your way. Mindfulness therapy is a cornerstone of addiction treatment at Linwood House, and it can have huge benefits during your stay in rehab and beyond. Our treatment programmes combine mindfulness techniques in rehab with traditional therapies to give you a balanced treatment experience and the best chance at lifelong recovery.

Mindfulness - meditation 1

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness means becoming aware of everything happening around and inside you, moment by moment, without rushing to judge whether it’s good or bad. It is a skill learned from ancient practices that can help you notice everything from your thoughts and feelings to aches, pains and tension in your body.

When you practise mindfulness, you get better at spotting your own habits and moods, but don’t get stuck in them. It is great for easing stress, sharpening your mind and handling the rollercoaster of life without becoming overwhelmed.

The four components of practising mindfulness

There are different ways of practising mindfulness, but its main concepts are often known as the “Four Foundations” in Buddhism. Tapping into the Four Foundations of Mindfulness works a bit like this:

1. Mindfulness of the body (Kāyā)

Start by tuning into your body. Notice your breathing, body movement, and even the subtle sensations you often overlook. Body awareness is about noticing physical sensations and recognising how fleeting they can be.

2. Mindfulness of feelings (Vedanā)

Pay attention to how things feel in the moment, whether they’re pleasant, unpleasant, or you’re just not sure. This is about getting real with how things are affecting you emotionally and physically without getting too caught up in the story behind them.

3. Mindfulness of the mind (Citta)

This is where you become an observer of your own mind. Watch your thoughts and moods as they come and go, like clouds passing in the sky. Try not to judge or control them, just notice them and let them pass again.

4. Mindfulness of mental phenomena (Dhamma)

Reflect on deeper qualities and states that arise, like focus, patience or kindness. Dhamma can also include pondering life’s big questions and the nature of existence based on the teachings you’re exploring.

When you first start out, each of these elements can be explored through regular mindfulness practice. As your practice progresses, you may find that you begin to live in a state of mindfulness all the time.

What is mindfulness therapy?

Mindfulness therapy applies the principles of mindfulness to help combat various personal challenges, such as anxiety, depression, pain and addiction. Regular mindfulness practice sharpens your awareness of your own mental and emotional landscape, helping you identify potentially destructive thoughts and impulses before they lead you astray.

Mindfulness therapy teaches you to stop and breathe whenever you find yourself in a tricky spot. This break helps you distance yourself from negative thoughts, providing an opportunity to choose a more constructive response instead of succumbing to old habits such as substance use.

Mindfulness therapy in an addiction treatment setting

During mindfulness therapy sessions at Linwood House, your therapist acts as a gentle guide, helping you centre yourself in the present moment. This might involve concentrating on your breathing, your body’s sensations or your thoughts and feelings without judgement.

Beyond the session, your therapist can give you practical tips on how to maintain mindfulness throughout your day-to-day life. This can support your journey through rehab, aftercare and beyond. There are various ways of utilising mindful techniques in rehab, with two of the most effective being:

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

This is a form of mindfulness therapy which is one of the best techniques for stress reduction for addiction recovery. MBSR incorporates a lot of different practices, including mindfulness meditation, yoga and body scans.

Body scan, for instance, involves a deliberate focus on each part of your body in sequence, so you can really hone in on what’s happening inside you. During treatment, this can be a really effective way to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms and can also help you manage tough emotions after you finish rehab.

Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (MBCBT)

MBCBT merges mindfulness with cognitive behavioural techniques to help you reshape how you label and react to your thoughts and emotions. A key tool here is the “three-minute breathing space,” a practice that allows you to pause and breathe whenever you feel triggered, providing a buffer to react more thoughtfully rather than impulsively.

For example, if arguments with partners or loved ones previously triggered drug or alcohol use, the three-minute breathing space can take the sting out of the moment so you can calm down and avoid relapse.

How mindfulness therapy helps support addiction treatment

Mindfulness therapy is like having a personal guide in your corner during recovery. It helps you handle those tough moments when you really feel like using again, and it sorts through the mess of feelings that likely pushed you toward addiction in the first place. Mindfulness therapy can be done in both individual and group sessions with our fantastic therapist explaining the benefits:

“Mindfulness in recovery is really about bringing you back to the here and now. It helps create a sense of calm and clarity, especially when you’re feeling anxious or low, which is something many people in recovery go through. When practised regularly, mindfulness can actually change how your brain works, helping you focus better, respond more calmly and connect more deeply with others.”

Combining mindfulness with other therapies

Our approach at Linwood House involves a holistic recovery process where mindfulness plays a pivotal role alongside traditional therapies. Here are a few key examples of how we blend the different methods:

Mindfulness in group therapy

Our group therapy sessions are all about support and sharing. By weaving mindfulness into these gatherings, we deepen the sense of connection and understanding among everyone involved. This encourages everyone to listen and participate wholeheartedly, bringing you closer together and creating a real sense of community and mutual support.

Mindfulness and family therapy

Recovery often requires untangling complex family issues, and mindfulness can really help during difficult family therapy sessions. Mindfulness keeps everyone present, patient and attentive which can prevent misunderstandings and stop arguments from flaring up. It can also create a calmer home environment where the whole family practises mindfulness.

Mindfulness in art therapy

Art therapy offers a unique and enjoyable way to explore your personal challenges and when combined with mindfulness, it becomes even more powerful. As you create, mindfulness guides you to pay close attention to your artistic process and the feelings it stirs up. This then allows you to express and process complex emotions in a safe, reflective manner and to articulate things you might not be able to say out loud.

Begin mindfulness therapy at Linwood House

We’d love to talk if you are curious about how mindfulness could help your recovery journey. Our friendly team at Linwood House is here to answer any questions and walk you through how we use mindful techniques in rehab. Whether you’re just starting or looking for something to support long-term recovery, we’ll help you take the next step. Reach out today.

Frequently asked questions

Is mindfulness therapy the same as meditation or yoga?

While mindfulness is part of things like yoga and meditation, mindfulness therapy is its own thing. It is a type of talking therapy where a trained therapist helps you use mindfulness in a more structured, focused way, especially helpful when dealing with addiction, anxiety or tough emotions.

Do I need to be religious or spiritual for mindfulness therapy?

Not at all. Mindfulness might have started in spiritual traditions, but today, it is used by people of all backgrounds. Mindfulness is simply about paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judging them, from which anyone can benefit. Whether you’re spiritual, religious, agnostic or just not into any of that, mindfulness can still help you feel calmer, more in control and better able to cope with recovery’s ups and downs.

Can mindfulness help me after I leave rehab?

Yes, absolutely! Mindfulness can be a huge support once rehab ends. Practising it regularly can help you stay grounded, deal with stress and avoid old habits. You don’t need anything fancy, just a quiet space and a few minutes to breathe and check in with yourself. It can help you deal with triggers, stay calm in stressful moments and reconnect with yourself when things feel overwhelming.

Disclaimer:

The availability of therapies may vary across UKAT centres. The specific therapies provided will be determined based on your treatment plan and the programme offered at your chosen facility. All treatments are subject to clinical assessment and programme availability at the time of admission. For further details on the therapies included in your treatment plan, please contact our admissions team.