As someone who has personally experienced addiction recovery, I can attest to the transformative power that gratitude can have on the journey towards sobriety. It’s not just a feel-good emotion; gratitude has been scientifically proven to have a significant impact on mental health. In this section, we’ll explore the definition of gratitude and how it can affect addiction recovery. We’ll also dive into the numerous science-backed benefits of practicing gratitude, including its ability to reduce stress, improve sleep, and cultivate self-esteem. Buckle up and get ready to discover how a thankful mindset can transform your journey towards long-lasting recovery. In this section, we’ll explore the power of gratitude during addiction recovery and the benefits it can bring.
- Being able to recognize all those who help us get through life brings a sense of radiance into our everyday demeanor setting an example that paying it forward only leads to prosperity.
- You are capable to accept the struggle in everyday life and embrace your soul by thankful to all the bad moments as new learning.
- There’s an old saying in many Twelve Step fellowships that goes “a grateful alcoholic will never drink” or “a grateful addict will never use”.
- Thank yourself for showing up each day to try again, to grow, to face challenges, and to work on being the best version of yourself.
- By studying, it’s proven that a person who practice gratitude more always lead a healthier lifestyle and overall well being.
Addiction experts agree that gratitude can strongly influence a person’s chance for a successful recovery from any kind of addiction. Gratitude offers both mental and physical health benefits, which can contribute to mental stability and happiness. By focusing on what you have, instead of what you do not, you can foster healthier thought patterns, and achieve better satisfaction with your life. Another way to express gratitude is to write thank-you notes to the people who have made a difference in your life. A grateful approach allows you to take on challenges with a positive mindset.
The Importance of Gratitude In Recovery
Gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation – paying attention to the positive things in your life is an important part of a healthy outlook on living. For those who are recovering from substance abuse, gratitude for the things that addiction recovery brings can make it easier to stay focused on building a new life free of addictions. Gratitude, referred to as one of the “foundational virtues in the creation of happiness” [3], works at combatting the negative emotions that may be present in recovery. Individuals who are more appreciative of their life, the people in it, and their own strength often feel more in control of their lives and emotions. These feelings are essential during a time when things may feel beyond one’s control. It may also help individuals view recovery as a challenge that will help them grow instead of as an obstacle that could overtake them.
Research confirms what those in recovery have long known – gratitude leads to a greater sense of well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction1. It is easy to understand why these traits would be important in long-term recovery. While the benefits of gratitude importance of gratitude in recovery are clear, learning how to cultivate and practice gratitude can be tricky, especially early in recovery. In the often-turbulent journey of addiction recovery, feelings of gratitude can play an important role in helping you feel secure and connected.
Focus On Positivity
In fact, the popular self-help author, Wayne Dyer wrote that when you change the way you see things, the things you see will change. If you expect positive experiences you might experience that instead. If there’s someone in your life who has been instrumental in your recovery, connect with them and let them know just how much they’ve helped you through difficult times. Ask them about their life, and make a habit of checking in with them every once in a while. When practiced regularly, gratitude builds stronger connections between people and within ourselves. It creates time and space to be mindful of relationships and the underappreciated joys of our lives, like the beauty of a sunset or the random kindness of a stranger.
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. Sure, maybe you are new in recovery and keep telling yourself you’ve wasted years using and should’ve gotten sober sooner. You stub your toe on the way out of bed or you spill your coffee all over your clean shirt? For a lot of people, this seemingly negative event sets off a train of thought and then everything seems to go wrong for the rest of the day.
