The Importance of Gratitude in Recovery

The Importance of Gratitude in Recovery

why is gratitude important in recovery

But it can be derailed quickly by those hopeless, negative thoughts, and the actions that go with them. Trapped in that mindset, an addicted person might think that there’s no point in trying to recover, because they’ll always use again. But recovery is a journey, and it’s important to remember that even the small steps forward are worth celebrating. One way to stay positive throughout your recovery is by practicing gratitude. Gratitude is being thankful for the good things in your life, no matter how big or small. Whatever method you choose, try to set yourself up for success by being realistic.

  • Instead, recovery is a lifelong commitment that requires a great deal of time and effort, and well, practicing gratitude in recovery is a critical aspect of the entire process.
  • As you learn to incorporate gratitude into how you view your new life, you may find that your recovery isn’t as difficult as you once thought.
  • It allows you to appreciate what you have instead of dwelling on your difficulties.
  • You can personalize and adapt gratitude practices to suit your unique circumstances and preferences.
  • You might write in a gratitude journal or have an alarm go off periodically as a reminder to stop and reflect.

The Importance of Expressing Gratitude During your Recovery

It empowers individuals to challenge the status quo, improve their circumstances, and transform their lives. Many people think that gratitude is naive or unrealistic, especially in the face of difficulties or hardships. They may believe that gratitude is ignoring or denying the negative aspects of life or being overly optimistic. These conditions can make recovery more challenging and increase the risk of relapse. Research has found that gratitude practice reduces psychological distress, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. Gratitude can help you cope with the difficulties of recovery by boosting your emotional resources and strengthening your coping skills.

Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude

why is gratitude important in recovery

For example, putting a picture of your dog or children on the board will remind you each day that they are both things in life to be grateful for on a daily basis. One way is to begin journaling about the things in your life that you are grateful for right now. While we can look at each one of these things and find an issue, the power is in finding the good in each. Practicing gratitude may seem easy to some but daunting to others.

Alleviating Stress and Anxiety with Gratitude

  • If you are struggling with addiction, professional treatment can help.
  • During active addiction, we may have taken friends and family for granted or overlooked the simple pleasures in life.
  • Gratitude can be practiced anytime, anywhere – and it doesn’t cost a penny.
  • Scientific research [2] has proven that gratitude actually improves our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  • Once you start paying more attention to the small details of your life and how they make you feel, gratitude will come more naturally and in abundance.

When you communicate with other people, express what you are thankful for. If you accomplished something at work, don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back and let people know how happy it made you. When others share their successes, listen, and let their gratitude rub off on you too.

How Gratitude Benefits Mental Health and Brain Function

Acknowledging how much you’ve progressed throughout your recovery journey can be helpful when you’re struggling with addiction. But if you’re in early recovery or beyond, it’s that much more https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/drug-use-in-sports-risks-you-have-to-know/ important. Reach out to someone you like and trust, and ask to exchange gratitude. When you hear their perspective, when you see where they look for meaning, your mind will respond in kind.

why is gratitude important in recovery

Keep a Gratitude Journal

why is gratitude important in recovery

In fact, many people who abuse substances to fight these feelings also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, which creates its own set of symptoms. The power of gratitude in addiction recovery lies in its ability to shift the focus of the mind away from negative thoughts and emotions and towards positive ones. By cultivating a thankful mindset, individuals in recovery can start to appreciate the good in their lives and find hope and encouragement to continue on the path towards sobriety.

  • We must also become active stewards by caring for the natural world that already cares for us.
  • If you’re not a morning person, writing in a gratitude journal first thing is unlikely.
  • There are several reasons why gratitude is effective for reducing stress and anxiety.
  • It is a habit that you can develop through regular practice and reflection.
  • Simply taking a moment to count our blessings can lift our spirits and remind us of all that we have to appreciate in life.

As you focus on being grateful even when things go wrong, you’ll find that there is still so much you can be thankful for. Happy people arguably have one thing in common — they are grateful why is gratitude important in recovery for what they have on any given day. As a recovering addict, developing a sense of gratitude about the things you appreciate may help you break free from the darkness of addiction.

What Are Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Every Day?

  • It may be there under different names — for example, AA daily reflections.
  • Such exercises in gratitude can change people’s perspective and transform minds and hearts for the better in the interests of successful, long-term recovery.
  • This open awareness fosters a natural surge of gratitude, a quiet appreciation for the abundance woven into each day.

Maybe a person has performed an injustice, and we are correct to reconsider our relationship with them. Just as often, though, our expectations have become unrealistic, and we need to manage them. Below are some practical tips for developing gratitude while in recovery. Gratitude is an effective tool for building resilience in ourselves. When we are grateful for what we have, we’re not broken by adversity, and we view challenges as opportunities for growth. Even a relapse will not discourage us from trying again, because we will view it not as a failure but as an opportunity to become even stronger.

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