How to Use Gratitude as a Strategy for Recovery FHE Health

But what happens for most is when we start to think those judgemental and negative thoughts we think of more things about the person or situation we don’t like. The thoughts can snowball until we’ve worked ourselves into a state of restlessness and discontent. Furthermore, studies show that gratitude enhances https://ecosoberhouse.com/ empathy and reduces aggression towards others. As individuals become more grateful for what they have, they tend to appreciate others’ efforts and become less critical of them. Feeling grateful triggers positivity that reflects in your subconscious mind influencing your behavior towards people around you.

Gratitude Helps Recovery

Interestingly, research has also found that expressing gratitude can be more effective than simply feeling grateful. This means that actively thanking people for their kindness or writing down why is gratitude important in recovery things we’re grateful for can increase its benefits even further. Finally, gratitude has been linked to improved physical health outcomes such as better sleep quality and reduced inflammation.

Happiness Calendar for Educators for March 2024

• And it’s about seeing the work and input other people have had and therefore how much you matter.
• It fosters connection and generosity, enhancing relationships on the recovery path.
• Encourage yourself as you focus even more fully on your recovery.
• Practicing mindfulness, writing in a gratitude journal, etc. gives you a positive outlet for that stress.
• But it can be derailed quickly by those hopeless, negative thoughts, and the actions that go with them.
• Helping others goes hand in hand with gratitude to promote a positive outlook.

So much of recovery is helping others who are going through the same struggle. If you acknowledge the past and appreciate the journey in a positive, intentional way, you might teach others to do the same. It’s important to understand that the relationship you have with yourself will often be reflected in your relationships with others. Many in recovery, particularly early recovery, feel guilty for past mistakes and beat themselves up.

Defining the Act of Practicing Gratitude

If you’re already using a journal to support your recovery, you can add a gratitude section or allot part of every entry to record things that you’re grateful for that day. You may also want to create a dedicated gratitude journal to keep you focused. Starting a new life in recovery involves pushing through regrets from the past and shedding a lot of baggage.

The Healing Power of Gratitude Letters

Daily Practices for Gratitude, including Journaling

• Here’s a breakdown of what practicing gratitude is and five concrete ways you can do it.
• Cultivating a thankful mindset can help people in addiction recovery to overcome negative thoughts and emotions, combat stress and depression, and find meaning and purpose in their lives.
• After a while, as the addiction takes hold, so does a sense of entitlement to the feeling of getting drunk or high.
• These are the things — big or small — that make you feel lucky and have helped guide you in the right direction.