Like recovering alcoholics and other drug addicts, we need to “make a decision” to embrace the reality of our dependence on the natural world. 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. Gratitude is defined as the quality of being grateful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. Basically, gratitude is seeing what is good in life and the goodness in others. The flip side is being resentful and seeing what’s wrong in life, not what’s right.
The Power of Gratitude: Expressing Appreciation and Cultivating Joy
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. Even if things aren’t going perfectly, you can still stop and be grateful for the steps you have taken forward. You can also more likely to be able to see what people are investing for you, how people are helping you, and how people are investing in your health and wellbeing. That can help you to improve your sense of self-worth and the idea that you have value to others – although you may need therapy and help with that mindset as well. Expressing gratitude can take many forms, from saying “thank you” to sending a heartfelt note or gift.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Power of Gratitude in Sober Living
This is true for both negative thinking, positive thoughts, and gratitude. By identifying things to be grateful for, you’ll be able to find the strength and motivation to keep moving forward. Acknowledging how much you’ve progressed throughout your recovery journey can be helpful when you’re struggling with addiction.
Gratitude Is a Magnet: Our Positive Outlook Draws Out the Best in People
But in several other ways, it requires you to actively put in the effort. At the beginning of your addiction treatment, you may not be thinking of much else outside of how you feel physically. When you are practicing gratitude in recovery, you are forging a spiritual connection with yourself. That spiritual connection has the power to keep you firmly rooted in your recovery. As you start to practice gratitude, you’ll notice the power of the words you choose.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintaining a grateful mindset during tough times can also help you remember that they do pass.
- On those days, try to go through the motions anyway to avoid breaking your new habit.
There is no reason we would be able to recover from the brain changes caused by addiction, but sobriety is a freely available gift. So too is the air we breathe, clear water from natural springs, fruits, nuts, roots, and grains given to us by the earth. Humans are newcomers on earth, wholly dependent on its freely given bounty. Gratitude begins with becoming fully aware of our dependence on these gifts.
Gratitude Is an Important in Overcoming Substance Abuse
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. Gratitude in addiction recovery involves noticing and appreciating why is gratitude important in recovery 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. Recovery is difficult, and maintaining a sense of gratitude can be crucial to a full and lasting recovery.
- One of the best ways to feel grateful is to give back and help others.
- Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to reinforce your beliefs and attitudes.
- This perspective can help you stay motivated and committed to your recovery goals, even when times are tough.
- Keeping your focus on these and other positives in your life can help you develop thankfulness.
- Active recovery may help to alleviate some soreness and inflammation, too.
- By taking time each day to acknowledge the good things in our lives, we begin to rewire our brains to focus on the positive.
- These ideas apply to anyone and everyone—being and feeling grateful just makes life better.
Other studies have also shown that practicing gratitude can lead to increased feelings of well-being and a more positive outlook in life. It can also be an incredibly powerful tool for growth and healing. Life is full of experiences and challenges, many of which can teach you valuable lessons. If you recently completed drug rehab, you most likely learned a few (if not many) valuable life lessons that changed you for the better. Reflecting on these life lessons and asking yourself what you’ve learned in the last week, month, or year is a great way to practice gratitude and reflect on your own personal growth in recovery.
Recognizing an Unhealthy Relationship with Alcohol
That’s important at a time when you’re likely working to fix your relationships and to build new ones. In recovery, we are given the space to be grateful, but it still takes time to practice and train the mind to notice and cherish the beauty in life. We should be patient with our feelings while our minds recalibrate to those details that most deserve our appreciation and respect.
- Can gratitude serve as a useful tool or strategy for people in early recovery?
- Have you ever become annoyed or frustrated by a person or something they’ve done?
- Be generous in sharing and showing your appreciation for their actions and efforts as you go about your day.
- If you’re experiencing extreme tiredness, lingering soreness or aches and pains, a lack of quality sleep, an elevated resting heart rate or irritability, you probably need a true rest day.
- Jordan Kadish graduated Magna Cum Laude from The College of New Jersey with a B.A.
Gratitude Works for Everyone—Not Just Sober Folks
You can learn to be grateful for the healing journey and all the progress you make. In addiction recovery, practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ time commitment or effort; it’s about finding methods that align with our individual preferences and lifestyles. Active addiction can damage your physical and mental health, relationships, finances, and your self-worth. It can also make you lose sight of all the things and people in life you feel grateful for and zoom in only on the problems and difficulties you face.
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’ve spent months or years soured by a negative outlook, it isn’t easy to swap rose-colored glasses with your current position of seeing everything as gray and stormy. The good news is that gratitude is contagious, and you can practice gratitude with others to help teach yourself to find positivity naturally. Expressing gratitude can also encourage you to strive for improvement, as it reminds you of what you have already achieved and demonstrates how much more you can accomplish.
