The Power Of Gratitude In Addiction Recovery

By cultivating an attitude of gratitude for your inner resources and qualities, you give yourself a foundation of strength that can help you weather difficult times. By incorporating the above tips to bring gratitude into your daily life, you are setting yourself up for a long and healthy life in recovery. With a grateful mindset, you have the opportunity to lead a happy and fulfilling life free from addiction. However, if you are having trouble finding things to be grateful for and are slipping towards relapse, be sure to reach out to someone you trust as soon as possible. Generating gratitude is a process similar to recovery – it can be threatened by negativity, resentment, and self-pity.

• Showing appreciation for the people who have supported us through difficult times can help us feel more grounded and connected, while also boosting our sense of self-worth.
• However, there are steps that you can take in order to grow gratitude in recovery.
• While cultivating gratitude is an ongoing process, its rewards are immeasurable.
• Feeling grateful triggers positivity that reflects in your subconscious mind influencing your behavior towards people around you.

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. Often, those in recovery, forget to show gratitude to themselves for all they have overcome and accomplished. 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.

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It works by focusing on what we have in our lives rather than what we lack, and by cultivating a positive mindset that helps us to cope with difficult situations. By practicing gratitude regularly, we can train ourselves to see the good in every situation, to appreciate the people around us, and to find joy in the small things in life. To get started with cultivating a grateful mindset, try keeping a gratitude journal where you write down three things you’re thankful for each day.

Taking a moment to think about something good you have now can serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come since your addiction. Remembering the way your life was when you were addicted doesn’t have to drudge up feelings of regret or sadness. Instead, it can improve your gratitude and remind you that the fight to stay sober is worth the effort.

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Addiction recovery is a long road and everyone faces the challenge of staying positive and persevering in the face of setbacks. Creating a smart recovery plan, having a solid sober network, gratitude in recovery and making healthy lifestyle changes are all key elements that help you persevere in the face of challenges. Again, feeling grateful can can help you stay optimistic when things get tough.

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. A handful of research studies attest to how practicing https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/essential-tremor-alcohol/ gratitude positively affects one’s well-being, which then influences a more optimistic recovery journey. For example, Robert Emmons, a professor at the University of California, Davis, is one of the leading researchers in gratitude studies. He and his colleagues conducted multiple research studies regarding the impact of gratitude on physical health, psychological well-being, and our relationships with others.

Focus on What you Have

All you have to do is take time at the end of your day to write down the positive things that happened and that you are grateful for. Gratitude can show others that you do not take your second chance at life for granted. By expressing thankfulness for everything you have in your life, you can shift your mindset from focusing on what you lack to appreciating all the wonderful things you have going for you. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

Gratitude will help you seek out these connections and communities, find and feel value in them, and share positive, connecting sentiments with people who have earned your trust. It’s easy to become irritable, angry, and impatient when we focus on the worst qualities in others. Instead, focusing on the best qualities can help us maintain a positive attitude, develop patience, and be respectful of others, even when it’s not easy. There are plenty of ways to be generous each and every day, but recognizing the opportunities that come your way takes effort and attention. For example, if someone from your AA group needs a place to stay for a week, opening up your home is a great way to be generous.

This Isn’t the End: Keep On the Road to Happiness

Gratitude is not just about saying thank you, it is much more than that. Practicing gratitude has been found to increase self-esteem, boost resilience, and enhance overall well-being. In studies where participants wrote letters of thanks to people who had positively impacted their lives, they reported feeling happier for up to a month after completing this task. Integrating gratitude into your daily life can bring positivity and happiness. It has been proven to be beneficial in addiction recovery, but it can benefit anyone seeking a more fulfilled life. It is essential to ensure that the recipient receives your gratitude letter as it increases their self-worth, enhances relationships, boosts empathy and even encourages their corresponding expressions of thankfulness.