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In recent years there have been several studies focusing on mindfulness techniques to treat addiction and mental health issues because of its long term effectiveness in recovery. Mindfulness techniques have also been found useful for chronic physical illnesses as well as those related to physical pain.
Simply stated, mindfulness is a practice that helps focus our awareness on the present moment. Most mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and several others arise from the mind’s focus on negative thoughts and emotions either related to past events, or projected into future fears. Mindfulness techniques can help consistently redirect the mind’s awareness to the present moment, thereby reducing stress and increasing focus.
There are hundreds of breathing techniques, but one of the simplest is to simply count your breaths, say to 10. If you’re doing a breathing technique as part of your mindfulness meditation, each inhale and exhale cycle counts as 1 rep. Count the number of breaths until you reach 10, and then start over. Do this practice for about 10 minutes each day, or before your meditation. Or this can be your meditation practice for 20 – 30 minutes.
You can also use a breathing technique in moments of stress, such as taking 3 deep breaths when you feel anxious or stressful.
This is a simple technique where you close your eyes and put your awareness on each area of your body, starting from your toes, and ending at the top of your head. You can also choose to start from your head and work your way downwards. When you put your awareness on an area of your body, say your knees, or your heart, you will notice a slight surge of presence or energy in that area.
You can do this practice at any time of day, such as the first thing when you wake up, or the last thing you do before you go to sleep. It is also effective when you are waiting in a line somewhere, and starting to get frustrated.
This is a powerful mindfulness technique when you realize how often we walk or perform other actions mindlessly. In this practice, you bring your attention to your feet and notice how it feels when each foot contacts the ground with each step you take.
You can practice this not only with walking, but when you do yoga, or when you go for a run, or even when you do a workout at the gym.
Mindfulness is so effective when practiced regularly that it has been shown to alter the brain’s functioning in extraordinarily positive ways. Try out any (or all) of the techniques above and start incorporating them into your daily routine. They offer excellent alternative coping mechanisms to addictive substances and behaviors.
We use mindfulness-based techniques and other holistic practices as part of our therapy for both addiction and mental health issues.
Reach out to learn more! Text us at 949-749-3026 or Call us at 866-415-6313
Start at John Wayne Airport, 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
Head southeast for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Rental Car Return. Continue for 0.7 miles.
Use the left lane to turn slightly left onto N Airport Way. Continue for 0.2 miles.
Use the left lane to turn slightly left to stay on N Airport Way and proceed for 0.1 miles.
Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Drive for approximately 0.5 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto the I-405 N ramp towards Long Beach. This will be a 0.2-mile drive.
Merge onto I-405 N and travel for about 2.9 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for approximately 0.2 miles.
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Euclid St N and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Head west on World Way toward Vicksburg Ave. Continue for 0.2 miles.
Use the 2nd from the right lane to turn slightly right onto S Sepulveda Blvd (signs for I-105). Drive for about 0.4 miles.
Use the right lane to take the I-105 E ramp. Merge onto I-105 E. Continue for approximately 17 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto I-605 S towards Long Beach. Drive for about 2.2 miles.
Take the exit onto I-405 S toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 S for approximately 18.5 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at San Diego International Airport, 3225 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
Head east on N Harbor Dr toward McCain Rd. Drive for about 0.7 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto W Grape St. Continue for 1.5 miles.
Use the left 2 lanes to take the Interstate 5 N ramp. Merge onto I-5 N. Travel on I-5 N for approximately 76 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 92B for CA-73 N toward Long Beach. Continue onto CA-73 N (Note: This is a toll road). Drive for about 16.8 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 18A to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 N for approximately 6.5 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at Riverside Municipal Airport, 6951 Flight Rd, Riverside, CA 92504.
Head southwest on Flight Rd. Continue for 0.3 miles.
Turn left onto Arlington Ave and drive for about 1.5 miles.
Use the right lane to take the ramp onto CA-91 W. Merge onto CA-91 W. Travel on CA-91 W for approximately 20.5 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 34B to merge onto I-15 S toward San Diego. Drive for about 4.7 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 96 to merge onto CA-91 W toward Beach Cities. Continue on CA-91 W for approximately 8.7 miles.
Merge onto CA-55 S via the ramp to Newport Beach. Travel on CA-55 S for about 14.3 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 5B to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Drive for 4.2 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.