How to Practice Gratitude in Recovery and why it matters

We can make them positive and grateful or negative and toxic. As mentioned, when a person begins to think negatively it often just grows and grows until they are upset, angry, bitter, and eventually resentful. When you begin to think good thoughts they too will grow and grow. This is true for both negative thinking, positive thoughts, and gratitude.

  • And it does have 4,700 cargo containers on board; 56 of those contain hazardous materials and 2 are missing overboard.
  • Gratitude can show others that you do not take your second chance at life for granted.
  • Finally, gratitude has been linked to improved physical health outcomes such as better sleep quality and reduced inflammation.
  • Gratitude is an intrinsic element to many forms of addiction recovery.
  • Recognizing that and working to forgive yourself is an important step.

A larger study included nearly 300 people who had reached out to a university-based psychotherapy service. Some of them only did psychotherapy, others did psychotherapy plus expressive writing, and a third group did psychotherapy plus writing gratitude letters to other people. Those who wrote gratitude letters in addition to psychotherapy reported better mental health, a change that was still present 12 weeks after the study ended.

Graduate School of Addiction Studies

This can lead to a cycle of despair and self-destructive behaviors that may be difficult to stop. 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. The quicker you can assume a position of feeling gratitude for being sober, the more likely your recovery will be successful and make a lasting impact on your ability to maintain sobriety. Those who view recovery as a burden or see their recovery experience as negative are more likely to turn back to alcohol or drugs.

‘Community gratitude’: Lessons learned on the road to cancer recovery – Wisconsin Life

‘Community gratitude’: Lessons learned on the road to cancer recovery.

Posted: Tue, 19 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

And so — which is why we’re working around the clock to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance going on — into — going into Gaza. They want us to deal with what’s happening at the border, and they want us to fix this immigration system. And so, we are going to continue to encourage Congress to move forward.

Gratitude is Good for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit

In this section, we’ll explore the power of gratitude during addiction recovery and the benefits it can bring. We’ll discuss simple daily practices, backed by research, that promote gratitude and how they can support a successful recovery journey. These practices include journaling, the healing power of gratitude letters, and expressing gratitude in recovery gratitude to friends, family, and support systems. So, let’s dive deeper into the ways in which gratitude can enhance addiction recovery, and how to make it a part of your daily routine. Research confirms what those in recovery have long known – gratitude leads to a greater sense of well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction1.

It helps us see life through a different lens, and it doesn’t take much effort to cultivate this mindset. Gratitude can be a powerful tool in addiction recovery, helping you cultivate a thankful mindset for your sobriety. You can learn to be grateful for the healing journey and all the progress you make. By anchoring ourselves in the present moment, we open our senses to the simple beauties often overlooked. This open awareness fosters a natural surge of gratitude, a quiet appreciation for the abundance woven into each day.

Gratitude Helps You Focus on What Really Matters

It allows you to appreciate what you have instead of dwelling on your difficulties. According to studies, gratitude and happiness are always strongly correlated. In one study, researchers asked one group to note the things they were grateful for.

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 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.

Strengthen relationships and social support

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. With gratitude, you can sense how far you’ve come and where you might go next. You feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment for all your hard work and good intentions, and you look for opportunities to connect with people, the world, the moment.