Detoxing the body from drugs or alcohol is a difficult process that is both deeply uncomfortable and necessary as someone begins their journey through the recovery process. It is a way to remove all the traces of an addictive chemical from one’s body in order to allow it to begin its long path towards healing. It is common to experience a number of withdrawal symptoms through this process as each person begins to set their recovery plan into motion. While this physical detox is essential for your health, it is also important to find ways to mentally detox during recovery as well. As a key component for someone beginning their recovery journey, as well as maintaining sobriety even years later, knowing how to effectively detox one’s mind can have many benefits for their overall health.
The Benefits of a Mental Detox
A mental detox is a way for someone to declutter their mind. Through the recovery process, any number of stressors and changes can all flood someone’s head at any time. This overwhelming feeling can add additional stress and pressure to an already trying time, and having a time and method to let go of these stresses is paramount for maintaining a healthy mindset. Mental detoxes are also intended to replace these stresses with reinforcing, positive thoughts. Done correctly, this will allow someone to continue moving forward in their recovery with a healthy mindset. It can also be used to renew energy and focus at any stage of the process. As such, detoxing one’s mind is just as important as physical detox.
How to Detox Your Mind
There are a number of ways that someone can begin to detox their minds in recovery. Typically, the practices are done to directly confront the stresses that someone is feeling and provide a safe way in which someone can consciously release them, instead of continuing to harbor the stresses within themselves. Meditation is one common way in which someone can begin to declutter their minds with this intent. Practicing meditation allows someone to physically and mentally slow down the world around them, detaching themselves from stresses in the process and giving each person as much time as they need to process the sources of their stress. Using meditation to clear one’s mind is useful because a person’s stress can often feel overwhelming and all-encompassing when left without an outlet. How someone chooses to engage in this meditation is up to them, as it can be done either in group sessions or by oneself in a comfortable environment.
Write and Release
Writing down the stresses of the day on paper can be a great outlet for release. Keeping a journal, or even just writing on scraps of paper, all help someone give the stresses of their minds a physical form, allowing them to better direct their energy towards coping with the stressors, rather than feeling overwhelmed. This strategy allows for each person to be able to look back on their stressors and document their progress, but can also serve a symbolic purpose. As someone writes down and moves on from their stresses, the act of closing the journal or throwing away the paper that contained the stress can be one way in which someone regains their agency over the situation.
Focus on What You Can Control
Stress can be overwhelming and bring with it a feeling of not being in control. While it is true that someone may not be able to control everything in their lives, there is always something that they can control on a daily basis. Finding these elements as a starting point can help clear someone’s mind of things that may otherwise create unnecessary stress and clutter. Even things as simple as cleaning one’s room, cooking a meal, taking a walk, or using breathing techniques all require someone to exhibit the agency that they have. Not only does this provide an example of how in-control someone is at any given moment, but also creates a focused outlet to begin working through stresses one at a time, instead of having to try to multitask through all of them simultaneously.
Take a Break and Say “No”
Simply taking a step back from the situation and saying “no” to any number of stresses can provide a much-needed break for the mind, allowing it to focus on its current state rather than taking on new responsibilities or stressors. This can mean saying “no” to anything from coming in to work an extra day when someone isn’t scheduled, or even to friends if someone would rather stay inside and watch a movie. These things are necessary for maintaining a healthy mental space and is another element that is always in one’s control. Mental detoxes can be difficult, not just because of the stresses that someone may need to process, but also because they may be trying to declutter their minds at the same rate that new stresses are being introduced, never allowing the mind to get the break it needs.
Detox is a very difficult part of recovery. Whether someone is preparing for their physical detox from an addictive substance or learning to detox their minds, knowing how to take care of oneself is essential. If your or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol and is considering taking the first step towards your detox, Alta Centers can help you today. With an atmosphere of personalized support and opportunity for growth, your time with us is dedicated to finding the best, personal path for your sobriety. Located in Los Angeles, California, Alta Centers takes to heart the need for each person to chase their own dreams, and attaining one’s sobriety can be the first step towards even greater goals. For more information on how we can personalize a plan for you, or to talk to a caring, trained staff member about our services and luxurious facility, call us today at (888) 202-2583.
