Meditation may be one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. It will require you to stop everything to be still, silent and willing to listen. However, with regular practice, you’ll discover a whole new way of life that’s full of understanding, luster and love. Through meditation, you can begin a lifelong journey alongside your Higher Power.

Here are 5 reasons why daily meditation is one of the best things you can do for yourself in recovery.

1. It helps you achieve emotional balance.

Sometimes, fear and anger are real emotions that sit inside of you and be incredibly difficult to acknowledge. However, through regular meditation, you may be able to level off these negative emotions and begin to feel less agitated. The exercise can open your heart and awaken you to feelings of love and understanding. When extreme emotions make meditation seem nearly impossible, simply repeating a specific affirmation over and over again can help bring you into a state of calm.

2. It is a great way to start the day.

Including meditation as part of your morning routine can give you a chance to set the tone for the day and get in touch with your spiritual agenda. Think of the character defects you’re going to be working on and the contrary actions you will take when certain situations arise. When you take a moment to enjoy some peace and quiet in the mornings, you’ll find that it can ease the brunt of crazy drivers on the road, unreasonable bosses or any other dramatic situations that may pop up during the day.

3. It lets you pause whenever you need to.

Meditation doesn’t always have to be a formal affair. No matter where you are, you can take a moment to pause when you find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed. Know that there’s always a solution to whatever it is that you may be going through at the moment. By taking a quiet pause, you can help refresh your mind and better assess the situation at hand.

4. It is good for your health.

Sitting quietly in meditation can help reduce stress in the body. It helps increase proper blood flow and regulate breathing, which helps lower blood pressure. At the same time, meditation can give your immune system a boost. According to a study by the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, participants who meditated regularly in an 8-week period experienced an increase in production of antibodies. It can also help those who suffer from chronic insomnia, depression, anxiety or pain.

5. It helps build trust in your Higher Power.

For a long time, drugs and alcohol may have provided a quick way to escape problems and situations, but it came with a heavy toll. It required that we sacrifice our lives, relationships, careers and family. Through meditation, we get an opportunity to sit in silence, immerse ourselves in a spiritual experience and build a relationship with our Higher Power. As we do this, we are able to truly experience freedom by surrendering control to something greater than ourselves.

As you venture into your new life in sobriety, you’ll find that meditation can help you live a life that does more than just react to situations. Even just a few minutes a day is enough to positively impact the way you feel and act in life. Through just a bit of self-discipline, you’ll be able to stay calm in situations that would have previously sent you over the edge and live in such a way that can only come from such increased awareness.