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Those suffering from substance abuse or addiction tend to show signs of depression, and are self-centered, only thinking of their own needs. With gratitude comes a less selfish attitude so they can focus their attention on others. Practicing gratitude in recovery helps people to become more optimistic, have more in control of their lives, and be less stressed. Recovery is difficult, and maintaining a sense of gratitude can be crucial to a full and lasting recovery.
- Most research consistently shows that when you take time to be grateful, it makes you feel better about where you are and what you have.
- That spiritual connection has the power to keep you firmly rooted in your recovery.
There are several reasons why gratitude is effective for reducing stress and anxiety. Firstly, it helps to shift our focus away from negative thoughts and emotions towards positive ones. This means that even if we’re going through a tough time, we can still find things to be grateful for – whether it’s our health, our relationships, or the beauty of nature. Gratitude is a concept that has gained traction in recent years for its potential impact on mental health. Defining gratitude and understanding how it works requires considering both the cognitive and emotional components of the experience.
Some Facts About The Power of Gratitude in Addiction Recovery: Cultivating a Thankful Mindset:
It’s a fundamental element in recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction. As you begin your recovery journey, keep an eye out for all the positive things you encounter each day — see each one as a gift! By practicing gratitude, you will slowly transform the way you look at life, as well as the people you interact with. These small instances of gratitude can amount to a bigger overall impact on your mental health. The quicker you can assume a position of feeling gratitude for being sober, the more likely your recovery will be successful and make a lasting impact on your ability to maintain sobriety.
The steps of your recovery plan should be at the top of your list – consistently. Making a list of ten things you are grateful for each morning is a great way to start off the day in a positive way. From new shoes to just having shoes to wear, when we sit and take a look there really is so much to be grateful for each day. And just as with any other habit, with regular practice, grateful thoughts can become your everyday way of thinking.
Why is Gratitude Important in Recovery?
Those with addiction issues, sometimes have maladjusted ways of thinking which become habits. These thoughts, as mentioned, can tend to be negative, always seeing what is wrong and what we don’t want. When we are optimistic we see good outcomes in even the most trying situations. In studies, those individuals who were considered optimistic had better overall health and in some cases aged better too. As mentioned, when a person begins to think negatively it often just grows and grows until they are upset, angry, bitter, and eventually resentful. This is true for both negative thinking, positive thoughts, and gratitude.
Taking time to focus on gratitude, especially during the holidays, allows us to be present, content, and feel more positive emotion. Just being grateful for the gift of recovery is a great place to start your gratitude practice. Call us today at Circle of Hope and let us help you gain your own sense of practicing gratitude in recovery. Practicing gratitude means being https://ecosoberhouse.com/ aware of good things, recognizing that work has gone into them, recognizing when people have helped you, and being thankful that you get the opportunities. That mindset can help you to improve your self-esteem in a number of ways. First, you can focus on what you’ve done for yourself, on how far you’ve come, and on how many steps you’ve taken in the right direction.
Make Gratitude a Daily Practice
One of the simplest and most effective ways to cultivate gratitude regularly is to keep a gratitude journal. Interestingly, expressing gratitude may also have benefits for those on the receiving end. A study published in Emotion found that people who received letters of gratitude reported feeling happier and more why is gratitude important in recovery satisfied with their lives than those who didn’t receive any such letter. If you’re struggling with sobriety and want to break free from addiction’s hold so you can reclaim your life, there is help. At Gateway in Chicago, Illinois, we want to support you so you can find a life of gratitude and sobriety.
- Additionally, gratitude has been linked with increased resilience, better sleep, and improved physical and mental health.
- Many addicts experience loss of time, as they are not as present when they are using.
- Active addiction can damage your physical and mental health, relationships, finances, and your self-worth.
- Your progress is an achievement, and you can only appreciate the good when you acknowledge the bad.
- When you make that shift into a grateful mindset you radiate a very attractive and influential positivity.