Types of therapy
At Paracelsus Recovery, our holistic treatment model includes meditation to support recovery. The aim of our meditation treatment is to nurture the mind-body connection, increase awareness of your inner dialogue, and enhance overall health and well-being.
What is meditation?
Meditation is the practice of training your awareness of the present moment using a variety of techniques. Through focusing the mind on one point of focus, an individual is able to enter a state of clarity and calm. It is a complementary treatment that not only strengthens the mind-body connection but also helps individuals de-stress, relax and generate a sense of inner peace. More specifically, it helps us become aware of all the thoughts, feelings and ideas floating through our mind and orienting our behaviour; often without us being remotely aware of them. While meditation has been around for thousands of years, its popularity continues to grow as more and more people discover its multitude of benefits.
There are various types of meditation. Among some of the most well-known styles are: mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, focused meditation, transcendental meditation, loving-kindness meditation and visualisation meditation. What all styles of meditation have in common is that they help you move into a relaxed state, even if the way they do this differs from style to style. For example, with a focused meditation, you place all your attention on something like the breath or a candle. However, with mindfulness meditation you engage in the practice of passively observing your thoughts. In both cases, you refocus your attention every time your mind wanders.
What is meditation helpful for?
Central to our holistic approach is focussing on strengthening the mind-body connection. With this in mind, meditation is one of the complementary therapies that we include as part of our treatment programmes. No matter the condition you come to heal from, meditation is a simple but effective practice that supports the healing process. Amongst the many benefits, meditation can help reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance mood, increase focus and regulate emotions. Due to the wide-ranging benefits of meditation, it can help ease symptoms of specific conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, chronic pain and various chronic conditions.
At Paracelsus Recovery, your meditation treatment will be entirely bespoke, designed to support your recovery. Our highly-trained meditation teachers will lead you in meditation practices that suit your individual needs and treatment goals in the comfort of your private accommodation. Participating in meditation treatment during your time with us will also equip you with a valuable tool that you can use in your daily life to manage stress and enhance your well-being.
Is meditation evidence-based?
Mediation has been found to help decrease the physiological markers of stress, underlining its potential as a form of stress management. Practising meditation is also known to be helpful as a way to reduce anxiety symptoms in individuals with generalised anxiety disorder and improve symptoms of depression. In particular, mindfulness meditation, which is one of the most studied forms of meditation, shows promise in treating sleep issues. Numerous clients have shared that their meditation practice often forms the bedrock of their recovery; as it grounds them in a daily routine focused on their relationship with themselves.
Practising transcendental meditation as part of treatment for substance abuse disorder has been linked to positive outcomes such as fewer alcohol cravings, reduced alcohol use and lower levels of stress and psychological distress. Meditation has also been shown to have various positive outcomes that can boost mental health, such as its ability to curb loneliness and increase social contact. And practising loving-kindness meditation has been shown to increase individuals’ compassion towards themselves and others, which is essential for recovery from various mental health and addiction issues.
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