Regardless of how you got to where you are, you are here now, on the pathway to recovery. Drugs and alcohol can take a severe toll on the body and gratitude and recovery brain, and an overdose can leave a user permanently disabled, or dead. Addiction also puts people at risk for violence and criminal activity.
- Addiction can harm the body and mind in many ways, sometimes permanently.
- When you communicate with other people, express what you are thankful for.
- Can gratitude serve as a useful tool or strategy for people in early recovery?
- Volunteer your time, or join a support group to share your experiences with addiction and help others in similar circumstances find their way to recovery.
It reduces stress because you can share your feelings with sober people and you have more resources for solving problems, even if you never have to actually ask for help. No one wants to tell their family or 12-step group they slipped up and have to start over. Often, that peer pressure is the nudge you need to stay on course. There are a number of ways to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, including keeping a regular sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene. If sleep problems persist, it’s worth discussing with your doctor or therapist. However, one way of improving the quality of your sleep is to practice gratitude.
How Gratitude Benefits Social Health and Connection
Many times people think, sure but I can’t control what goes on around me and what others do and say. And while this is completely true, what we can control is our thoughts. 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. Gratitude can show others that you do not take your second chance at life for granted.
That said, there are going to be residual negative emotions and memories that can hinder your recovery. One of the benefits of cultivating a grateful heart in recovery is that it helps you better handle the negative things that come your way. Gratitude becomes like a sweet salve that not only heals but also contributes to your sense of joy for breaking free from substance use. So how exactly does someone practice gratitude and know they’re doing it right? Figuring that out is a natural first step in the mindful gratitude journey.
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Having a recovery plan that you can always fall back on gives your recovery some structure. If you aren’t sure what to do, stick to the plan – and update it as your recovery progresses. Recovery can seem big and impossible, so it’s important to set small doable goals along the way. That gives a sense of accomplishment, boosts self-esteem and gets things done. Break down big goals into smaller ones and mark them off your list as you complete them. So whenever your emotions run high, try to find somewhere to extend your thanks and appreciation.
This perspective can help you stay motivated and committed to your recovery goals, even when times are tough. 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. Especially in early recovery, there are a lot of emotions that surface that are no longer being numbed by drugs or alcohol, and these emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming. At its essence, gratitude is feeling joy for the things you have in life. This isn’t limited to material possessions, although of course you can be grateful for the things in your life, too.
How To: Practicing Gratitude in Recovery
Many addicts experience loss of time, as they are not as present when they are using. In recovery, you can be grateful for the opportunity to have the freedom to pursue new hobbies, activities and goals with your newfound time. Take time to look at yourself and your life and be grateful to yourself. If you are in recovery, you have accomplished so much just by being sober or trying to get sober.
- Recovery allows you to explore new opportunities and make new connections without the distraction of drugs or alcohol.
- It can remind you of how far you’ve come and all you’ve done to get to this stage of recovery.
- In addition, practicing gratitude will make you realize the tools and resources you have in your life that you can use to manage these thoughts and navigate difficult situations.
- Then each day (once you get some stockpiled) take one out and remember what you have to be happy about.
- The transition from addiction to recovery isn’t overnight, and the benefits don’t come all at once.
These co-occurring issues interact with addiction in complex ways. Typically, each makes the other worse so treating the co-occurring mental health issue is a crucial element in disrupting this destructive cycle. Instead of focusing on material possessions this holiday season, these nine tips can help you practice gratitude in recovery and learn how to be thankful and content with what you already have. Developing a mindset and behaviors that reflect gratitude is a skill, and it will take time to grow. If you’re new to recovery and you’d like to have more gratitude, here are nine practical ways to practice gratitude in recovery.
A Sense of Gratitude Can Help Through Tough Times
Staying grateful during both good and bad times keeps your mindset in a consistent place. In your journal, take time to note down the things and events of the day that you’re grateful for. Whether it’s a chance to sleep a little later in the morning or a meeting with an old friend, note it down. Include as many gratitude-inspiring things as you can in each session. Your entries create a picture of all the positive things in your life that you may never have noticed while using drugs or alcohol. Developing an attitude of gratitude comes easily for some and for others takes some practice and habit-building.
It might mean donating to a community that made you feel a sense of belonging or planting a tree in your yard to honor your appreciation of nature. Researchers find that gratitude is especially important for individuals in SUD recovery with the goal of being abstinent. Call us today at Circle of Hope and let us help you gain your own sense of practicing gratitude in recovery. At Lifeskills South Florida, we’re here for those seeking help with a drug or alcohol addiction. Entering treatment is the first step to recovery, and we focus on equipping clients with coping and self-care skills for reintegration back into life once out of treatment.
