Many people have a routine in the morning, even if it’s not something they consider set in stone. They may wake up, check their phone, and have coffee for example, or they may exercise and make a juice first thing. For individuals in recovery, having a morning routine can be critical because structure can help start the day off right. Also, having a morning routine with prayer and meditation that connects us with their spiritual life can be highly beneficial. It reminds us that we have a purpose in recovery and that our focus is well-being and growth.
Understanding Spirituality and Recovery
Many people balk at the idea of spirituality in recovery. However, this is often due to the misconception that spirituality is the same thing as religion. It is not.
Spirituality is something that an individual can choose for themselves, whereas religion has a set doctrine that is followed. In recovery, this distinction can be critical.
Spirituality Versus Religion in Recovery
There is a reason why 12-Step recovery often chooses to use the term “Higher Power of our understanding” rather than “God.” This is because the term God can have many different connotations, and, for some, these connotations can be negative. This might be due to some past experiences with religion or some issues with “God” that they are currently navigating.
In recovery, we have the option of choosing whatever Higher Power that might fit our needs and purposes at the time. For example, in 12-Step recovery, many people choose to make their Higher Power the people in their recovery meeting. This is because they have seen that recovery is working for these individuals, so they choose to have faith that it could also work for them.
However, it should be noted that many people do choose to incorporate their religion into their recovery, which is great too. The key is to connect with a sense of spirituality that works best for the individual. Another key is to practice connecting to that spirituality often, including in the morning.
The Benefits of Prayer and Meditation in the Morning for Long-Term Recovery
Many people choose to have set prayer and meditation when they first wake up. This can be as simple as connecting with a Higher Power and thanking them for waking up sober, or it can be as intricate as saying multiple set prayers (like the St. Francis prayer, for example) in order. Again, the key is to do what works for the individual.
Meditation is also an important action in recovery. As is often said, “prayer is connecting with a Higher Power, and meditation is listening to what that higher power has to say.” It is also about quieting the mind and finding a sense of balance.
Meditation also offers many other benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency. Physiological benefits include reduced blood pressure, heart rate, lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine; decreased metabolism, breathing pattern, oxygen utilization, and carbon dioxide elimination; and increased melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), skin resistance, and relative blood flow to the brain.”
Connecting With a Higher Power in Recovery
Now, connecting with a Higher Power is as much about letting go as it is about adopting a new way of life. Many people worry that when they choose recovery they are going to lose some sense of their identity. The good news is that the only aspect of that identity that will most likely disappear will be the one that struggled with active addiction and hurt others.
Connecting with a Higher Power should be a very personal journey, and it is often a journey that has many ups and downs. The good news is that, with faith, that journey should always maintain a sense of forward momentum and positivity. Will a spiritual journey be perfect? Of course not. However, it will most certainly be better than the loneliness and hopelessness of active addiction.
A Focus on the Long Term With Lantana Recovery
There is a quote by the philosopher Herbert Spence that is often used in 12-Step recovery. It goes, “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
In recovery, it is important to stay open and willing to try new things. This includes prayer and meditation. At Lantana Recovery, we believe that adopting a spiritual life is essential for long-term success, and long-term success is what recovery is all about.
Setting up one’s day by connecting to a Higher Power (of one’s understanding) is a great way to maintain a healthy and well-balanced recovery. It is also a great foundation for setting up a healthy and effective morning routine that includes physical exercise, mental reflections, and a focus on nutrition. Ultimately, it offers an opportunity for a balanced recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
