What is Gratitude and How Does it Impact Recovery?

WHAT IS GRATITUDE?

Gratitude is the art of making what you have, enough. Gratitude is the feeling and outward conveyance of appreciation for something or someone. It includes the acknowledgment and appreciation for the good things or blessings in life.

Gratitude can be focused toward circumstances, people, or oneself. It often lends itself to positive emotional feelings and social interactions. Practicing gratitude regularly can positively affect an individual’s overall life to include greater feelings of well-being, stronger relationships, and enhanced positive attitude toward life.

 

Does gratitude really help with recovery?

In early recovery a spectrum of emotions can rise, which had been numbed by substance use previously. These unresolved emotions can cause discomfort at minimum and confuse the recovery journey at worst. Utilizing gratitude is helpful to stabilize these emotions with optimism, pleasure and serenity. Gratitude can answer or reduce physical and emotional waves.

Research has shown that consciously practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.¹ In fact, studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness, and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.¹ These effects disappeared within three to six months, which reminds us to practice gratitude over and over.¹

Gratitude is a valuable tool for recovery. Gratitude fosters positive thinking, increases happiness, reinforces an enhanced sense of wellbeing, and can assist in the recovery process. Here are a few ways gratitude can support recovery:

• Practicing gratitude inspires a perspective shift allowing people to focus on the good in their lives. This tends to progress coping strategies and motivate recovery. Gratitude often involves bringing people into the present; this can reduce stress and promote healing. It can also aid with getting out of one’s own head and enable individuals to look outside themselves to experience what is going on around them.
• Community is invaluable in recovery. Articulating gratitude can reinforce stronger relationships with others. Being connected to others and having that community can improve overall well-being and recovery. The practice of gratitude can help build resilience, optimism, adaptability, and self-efficacy by reinforcing the positive aspects of life. Increased self-reflection by practicing gratitude reinforces resilience.
• Practicing gratitude has been linked to a reduction of stress. Decreasing stress enhances and improves health and recovery by decreasing the negative impacts of the stress hormones on the body. Acknowledging and appreciating small progress and positive changes can boost motivation for the continuation of positive activities. This is vital to recovery. Preserving hope and determination can be daunting but is vital to achieving long-term sobriety.
• Gratitude fosters a positive relationship with self-reflection and looking for the positive. This in turn lends itself to supporting a positive mindset that is necessary for sobriety.

 

How do you foster gratitude?

To aid in making anything part of your day-to-day life, it is helpful to create a habit. Forming a habit of gratitude starts with a changed mindset, and a focused determination to think from a changed perspective.

The practice of gratitude is a choice. Choose to understand this is now your life in recovery and you have the chance to recreate and reestablish your life.

A supportive community is necessary for recovery. Choose to become part of a community focused on wellness. A great way to get out of your own head is to help others. Perhaps volunteer for an organization you are passionate about or spend time with someone who may need some support. Spending time with animals and children can also allow you be in the present moment.

It’s the small things. Gratitude can start with things like taking the time to notice and appreciate the small things like enjoying nice weather or the sounds of nature. Create the time and space to reflect and think of the situations, things and people for which you are grateful.

Create a gratitude list by scheduling time daily to work on the list. Take time to list at few things and people for which you are grateful. As your list builds, you could reflect on the list and compare how far you have come seeing the good in the world. Introduce a meditation practice focusing on the positive is valuable to gratitude. Meditating on the constructive aspects of life and sending positivity toward others will enhancing gratitude.

In conclusion, utilize an array of recovery tools to give you the best chance at living your best life in long-term recovery. Gratitude is just one of those tools to assist in your life-long recovery if you choose to utilize it. All of us at Santé Center for Healing are grateful for your interest in gratitude and wish you unlimited success on your journey.

 

WHY SANTÉ FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ADDICTION?

Santé Center for Healing provides integrity-driven, evidence-based, and personalized long-term recovery customized for those suffering from substance use disorders, mental health, trauma, problematic sexual behavior, disordered eating and other compulsive behaviors. Founded in 1996, Santé’s mission is to provide long-term recovery because left untreated, addiction is a fatal disease.

 

Sources:

1. Mental Health First Aid from National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The Importance of Practicing Gratitude and Celebrating Small Victories. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2022/11/practicing-gratitude/

 

 

Photo by: Freepik

 

For More Information call 940-464-7222 or follow us on: