Expressing gratitude to others is not only beneficial for the recipient but also for the individual expressing it. Taking the time to thank and appreciate others can strengthen relationships and create a sense of connection and support. It can be as simple as sending a heartfelt note, expressing gratitude in person, or performing acts of kindness for others. Many people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction have little sense of self-worth. Even if drugs or alcohol still tempt you, you missed your group session or you yelled at a dear friend — don’t beat yourself up. Practicing gratitude may seem easy to some but daunting to others.

Gratitude Is an Important in Overcoming Substance Abuse

Volunteering or being in service is one of the best ways to begin to get grateful. Not only does volunteering help us get out of our heads and inot the present moment. This helps us to see and appreciate the good things in our lives now. 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.

Dependence Vs. Addiction

The active, regular practice of gratitude increases happiness, quality of life, and other positive emotions. For people in recovery from addiction, gratitude practices can be powerful ways to strengthen sobriety and reduce relapse risk. The act of gratitude can be as simple as making a list of good things that happen and thanking people for what they do to support recovery.

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These outcomes positively reinforce one’s behavior towards practicing gratitude as a habit. Finally, gratitude has been linked to improved physical health outcomes such as better sleep quality and reduced inflammation. This suggests that being grateful not only improves our mental health but also has positive gratitude in recovery effects on our bodies. Do you find yourself being consumed by negative thoughts and emotions? By focusing on gratitude, you can train your mind to overcome negative thinking. You may think that gratitude is difficult to practice, especially when you are facing hardships or difficulties in life.

• Being kind to loved ones, friends, and strangers, regardless of the type of day you’re having, is an honorable way to live.
• Design for Recovery provides structured sober living in Los Angeles, California.
• A positive outlook is important because addiction itself fosters a host of negative emotions and ways of seeing the world.
• Keep your lists for a reminder of why you’re working toward recovery- and what the future could be.
• It is easy to understand why these traits would be important in long-term recovery.

• This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.
• I love these birds, so it is time to do something so they will love me back.
• By intentionally practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive aspects of challenging situations, individuals can find resilience, growth, and renewed hope along the path to recovery.
• Making an effort to practice gratitude regularly can have an incredibly positive impact on your mental health.
• Gratitude is a concept that has gained traction in recent years for its potential impact on mental health.

And when we looked for the worst qualities in every situation, we created a self-fulfilling prophecy of negativity. Throughout each day, be mindful of your interactions and observations of others. Be mindful of sharing your gratitude for others as they cross your path or as you observe good deeds on behalf of strangers. Be generous in sharing and showing your appreciation for their actions and efforts as you go about your day. These ideas apply to anyone and everyone—being and feeling grateful just makes life better. With gratitude, you can sense how far you’ve come and where you might go next.

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Gratitude Is a Magnet: Our Positive Outlook Draws Out the Best in People