When it comes to boxing, even the greatest fighters in the world experience defeat at some point in their careers. However, the difference between great fighters and good fighters is that great fighters learn and grow from these defeats. When arguably the greatest boxer ever, Muhammad Ali, lost his first fight, he said, “I never thought of losing, but now that it’s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.” This is as true in life as it is in boxing and as true in boxing as it is in recovery. Also, this deeper level of introspection is what Think Boxing is all about.
The Importance of Emotional Healing in Addiction Recovery
When it comes to recovery, it is important to remember that healing must happen on many levels. It is important to heal the physical body from the depletion and damage that active addiction imparts. Also, it is important to heal the cognitive component (including our thought processes) that active addiction not only skews but creates false narratives that we follow to our own detriment.
It is also critical that we heal on an emotional level. Our psychology is undoubtedly affected by the toxic lifestyle that active addiction brings with it. We often begin to feel hopelessness and loneliness that people outside the realm of addiction will rarely understand. Also, some of these emotions may have been buried long before we even had a problem with substances. We just used substances to keep them buried.
To heal, we must address these underlying issues and learn to regulate these emotions. Now, there are many ways to do this, including traditional therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). There are also holistic means that can help us recover, such as breathwork, meditation, and yoga. Another form of therapy that is both relatively new, exciting and has been shown to be exceptionally effective. This is the therapy known as Think Boxing.
What Exactly Is Think Boxing?
Think Boxing is a therapy that takes the mental conditioning and emotional regulation that is required in boxing and integrates it with traditional psychotherapy. It also utilizes the benefits that physical exercise can have on both our physiology and psychology.
Think Boxing can be particularly effective for individuals who are in recovery because it can strengthen focus and mental acuity, improve our relationships and how we connect to others, and, as previously discussed, is extremely effective at helping us to regulate our emotions.
It also stimulates something known as “neurogenesis,” which literally helps our brain create new healthy neurons and change our thought patterns. Creating new thought patterns and changing those that had become calcified via active addiction can be a vital part of long-term recovery.
How Does Think Boxing Work?
For those who are anxious and unsure about engaging in the act of boxing, there is no need to worry because Think Boxing does not involve any actual fighting. Think Boxing involves a training curriculum that can help to release tension and stress, create confidence via self-defense building, and create flexibility in the way we engage with our emotions.
While not all Think Boxing programs are integrated with other treatment modalities, Think Boxing at Lantana Recovery is weaved into a comprehensive recovery program. This means that the gains one makes in Think Boxing are also compounded by other forms of effective evidence-based treatments. Now, this often means bigger gains and larger growth in a shorter amount of time. Though, it is important to remember that recovery is about the journey, never about the destination.
What Are the Benefits of Think Boxing?
As previously mentioned, Think Boxing can be a pivotal part of learning how to regulate emotions and thus eliminate or better manage negative behaviors. But these are not the only benefits of the program. Some of the other benefits of Think Boxing include:
- Offers newfound physical wellness that may include cardiovascular strength, better balance, and hand-eye coordination
- It can bring a new sense of self-confidence
- Can improve concentration and focus
- Helps reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and help with depression
- Creates the resilience needed to move forward
- Offers both physical and mental endurance
The Importance of Comprehensive Addiction and Mental Health Care at Lantana Recovery
People in the Low Country know that variety is the spice of life. The same is true with us here at Lantana Recovery. This is why we believe in comprehensive recovery plans, not “cookie-cutter” treatment.
Muhammad Ali also once said, “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” We’re here to help you remove that pebble, show you the mountain, and help you climb it.
“Think Boxing” is a non-competitive training curriculum that uses specific patterns of conditioning and comprehension found within traditional boxing training to foster balanced brain regulation. Because of the positive impact this practice has on regulating emotions, at Lantana Recovery, we utilize it in our programs for addiction and mental health treatment. It is through Think Boxing that many clients can begin processing and regulating their emotions in healthy ways that will prepare them for lifelong recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we can help. For more information on what Think Boxing is, how it aids addiction recovery, and the positive impact it has in facilitating lifelong sobriety, contact Lantana Recovery at (866) 997-2870.
