Mindfulness - A Gentle Practice for Healing on the Recovery Journey

Contributed by Sonya Connelly, Community Outreach Coordinator

Mindfulness is simply the practice of paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment without judgment. In recovery work, where past hurts and future worries can feel overwhelming, mindfulness offers a gentle reminder that healing happens one moment at a time.

Why Mindfulness Matters in Recovery
Mindfulness has been shown to support recovery in meaningful ways. It can help reduce cravings, regulate emotional responses, foster self-compassion, improve focus, and strengthen resilience.

Here are a few ways mindfulness can support recovery:

1. Managing cravings
Mindfulness helps people notice cravings as they arise without immediately reacting to them. With practice, this pause creates space to choose a healthier response.

2. Regulating emotions
Strong feelings like anger, sadness, or shame can feel overwhelming. Mindfulness offers grounding tools, like focusing on the breath or noticing body sensations, that help calm the nervous system.

3. Building self-compassion
Recovery is rarely a straight path. Mindfulness encourages people to meet themselves with kindness instead of judgment, which can reduce shame and support resilience.

4. Strengthening focus and presence

Staying in the “here and now” helps shift attention away from regrets about the past or worries about the future, making it easier to stay engaged in recovery.

Each of these offers supportive strategies you can explore and share with others in your own work or personal life. A mindful breath between meetings, a short walk outside, or a pause to notice something you’re grateful for can help us stay grounded and present in this important work.

Here’s a simple practice you might try this week:

  • Take three slow breaths.

  • On the inhale, silently say “here.”

  • On the exhale, silently say “now.”

  • Repeat, letting the words and the breath bring you into the present moment.

Recovery is a journey of resilience, courage, and hope. Mindfulness is one way we can support that journey.

Recommended Resources You Can Explore:

American Addiction Centers  -  “How to Stay Present in Recovery: Mindfulness Techniques”
Breaks down the benefits mindfulness offers (like reduced rumination, improved emotional regulation) and shares practical tips to build the skill in daily life. 

Recovery Dharma - Buddhist-Inspired Peer Recovery Resource
This recovery program combines recovery principles with mindfulness and meditation practices. A peer-led, non-theistic recovery community grounded in meditation, inquiry, and shared support.  Healthy Acadia hosts a Recovery Dharma meeting at our INSPIRE Community Recovery Center, every Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE)
An evidence-based therapy combining mindfulness with reappraisal and savoring, designed to reduce addictive behaviors and increase emotional well-being. 

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
A well-known eight-week program by Jon Kabat-Zinn, integrating meditation, body awareness, and gentle movement to manage stress and improve quality of life. 

POSTTracey Carlsonmindfulness tools, mindfulness in recovery, recovery, tools for recovery, present, wellness, well-being, HPM, SPR