They then asked another group to write about the daily irritations or things that had displeased them. The third group was asked to write about the negative and positive events that affected them. After 10 weeks of study, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.
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It can also be an incredibly powerful tool for growth and healing. All of the above benefits support recovery by improving your mental health, physical health, relationships, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and quality of life. In addition to these general benefits, researchers have begun to look at the effects of gratitude in people working through recovery from addiction.
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Gratitude enables us to cope more effectively, accepting the present as it is while finding strength and resilience to overcome obstacles. Gratitude in addiction recovery involves noticing and appreciating the positives in life, including health, friends, achievements, and even challenges. It’s a mindset that can be cultivated daily, shifting focus from negativity to celebrating blessings. This practice supports overall well-being and aids in the journey to lasting sobriety. On the other hand, gratitude can also arise more outwardly towards others who have helped in your recovery process.
Graduate School of Addiction Studies
Gratitude begins with becoming fully aware of our dependence on these gifts. Like recovering alcoholics and other drug addicts, we need to “make a decision” to embrace the reality of our dependence on the natural world. So, we’ve established that gratitude is pretty awesome for recovery.
How to Practice Gratitude in Recovery (and why it matters)
Gratitude isn’t dependent on having an abundance of things to be thankful for; it’s about recognizing and appreciating the small and ordinary aspects of our lives. Expressing gratitude doesn’t demand a significant time commitment or effort; it’s about finding methods that align with our individual preferences and lifestyles. Research has shown how important it is to express gratitude (if you want to be happy). Positive psychology not only impacts your mental health, but physical, spiritual and social health too. Many great thinkers and philosophers have applied definitions to gratitude.
- You can start your recovery journey with Design for Recovery, a sober living home for men that offers a supportive environment and a holistic approach to recovery.
- If you started to expect such a favor all the time, however, your entitlement could lead to refusal and then hostile thinking.
- Replacing selfishness with gratitude can be revealed through intentional service to others by volunteering, charitable giving and even supporting others in recovery.
- We can also guide you in approaching a loved one who needs treatment.
Additionally, it can foster a sense of spirituality, which can be a source of strength and guidance for many people in recovery. It’s a way of recognizing the good things in our lives, even when things are hard or challenging. This perspective is especially important when we find ourselves asking, “Why am I not happy? Gratitude helps promote the focus on channeling inspiration and motivation into sobriety. However, someone who practices gratitude can appreciate the benefits sober living will have in their life and be better able to maintain sobriety. If you recently left treatment or you’re new to recovery, be patient with yourself.
Gratitude is an intrinsic element to many forms of addiction recovery. Whether you’re attending AA, any form of 12-Step, or science-based programs like SMART Recovery, gratitude is often a strong focus. As we touched on previously, some days, you simply won’t feel that grateful.
By reframing their perspective through gratitude, individuals can find solace in the small moments of joy and progress, leading to a renewed sense of purpose, motivation, and self-empowerment. When you first start practicing gratitude, it’ll take some time to make it a regular habit. But there are proactive steps you can take to make it a seamless gratitude in recovery part of your life as quickly as possible. You might write in a gratitude journal or have an alarm go off periodically as a reminder to stop and reflect. By being grateful for what we have in life, we can transform our outlook and attitude and enhance our recovery journey. Gratitude is often misunderstood as complacency or settling for less.
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However, maintaining a sense of gratitude can help you stay focused on what is important and find strength in difficult times. Many of us drank or used because we didn’t know how to cope with negative emotions. Staying sober means accepting life on life’s terms, and sometimes those terms are hard to accept or handle. When we are mentally overwhelmed, we need to use every tool in our toolbox to maintain our sobriety and find joy, even during difficulty. Practicing gratitude in recovery can help us redirect our thinking, so that we can lead meaningful, purposeful lives under all conditions. Furthermore, gratitude can help individuals take on challenges with a positive mindset, reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
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As we wrap up our exploration of gratitude in addiction recovery, let’s take a moment to reflect on the transformative power of this simple yet profound practice. From rewiring the brain’s reward system to fostering resilience, from rebuilding relationships to boosting self-esteem, gratitude touches every aspect of the recovery journey. The act of writing the letter is therapeutic in itself, but if you’re feeling brave, try reading it aloud to the person. The connection and positive emotions this generates can be incredibly healing.