You have probably heard about mindfulness techniques and how it can improve your life to be more aware of the present and the things that are present around you. Mindfulness based stress reduction is an eight-week course created by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Created in 1979, there is now a workbook that people can use with it, and the classes help reduce physical pain as well as mental stress.

The History of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

When the technique was first researched, Jon went to a pain unit in a hospital and told the doctors that he could help the patients that were not responding to prescribed treatment. He took them through the training and retained the patients to view their pain more objectively. The patients found that they experienced less pain and could deal with their chronic pain conditions much better than before.

Then, it was from this point in time that research has taken off on the technique. The training works to redirect the choices you make in your responses or reaction to something. In a split second, you make the decision to react to an image of an angry person. Those that have not learned to be scared of angry people will respond normally to questions about the image while those abused by angry people may be scared.

The latter person has this reaction because of the learned decision-making process that took them to a scary place upon viewing the image. In mindfulness training, people learn how to intercept their reactions so that they achieve the desired outcome. For example, the person scared of angry people could learn to control their response and stand up for themselves in the light of an angry person.

How Does Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training Work

People that have no outlets for their stress can experience many side effects, including substance abuse, to find relief. Other symptoms include:

  • Exhaustion
  • GI Problems
  • Sleeplessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetful
  • Emotional
  • Irritable

Additionally, mindfulness based stress reduction will teach you many techniques that will have you living a different and better life because of your change in perspective. During the training you will learn:

  • Awareness Mindfulness
  • Focus Mindfulness
  • How to Shift From Focus to Awareness
  • Mindful Breathing
  • How to do a Personal Body Scan
  • Object Meditation

Additionally, some centers also train clients on:

  • Mindful eating
  • Walking Meditation
  • Awareness Exercises
  • Mindful Stretching
  • Simply Watching
  • Urge or Worry Surfing

The last one on this list is important for people affected by addiction. Searching your mind for urges to use and taking them down with mindfulness based stress reduction techniques can be a powerful tool in staying sober.

Additionally, while the training is short, you will learn many skills to carry throughout your life that will help you to reduce stress and keep you substance free and disease free. Taking part in a long term rehab program inpatient or outpatient that focus on these techniques would be beneficial in that you will build the habits of using the techniques over time.

Finding a Rehab That Teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

In the long run, there are not many substance abuse rehabilitation centers that focus on large parts of the mindfulness based stress reduction training. Steps to Recovery offers this training to any participants that would like to take part in learning these skills. Give us a call at 267.719.8528 to find out more today!