Things to be Grateful For When in Recovery
Things to be Grateful For When in Recovery

Things to be Grateful For When in Recovery

However, during the first five years of my sobriety, freak incidents occurred around my sober anniversary. Gratitude writing from a journal prompt is a great way to open yourself up to questions you might not otherwise ask. Whether your roommates are bugging you, your job is stressful, or your car is acting up, try to think of every situation in a positive light.

Why is gratitude important?

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

These thoughts, as mentioned, can tend to be negative, always seeing what is wrong and what we don’t want. While not everyone experiences this pink cloud, the vast majority of people who do experience it are quickly disillusioned. Now, and after working our steps and fighting off the closest alligators to our boat, which was the main object of our addiction, we must continue working and never stop.

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When we are optimistic we see good outcomes in even the most trying situations. Practicing gratitude helps people become more optimistic. In studies, those individuals who were considered optimistic had better overall health and in some cases aged better too. However, if you are able to take that negative event and laugh it off or just forget about it, the day often turns around and is a good one. Of course, we all have our ‘bad days’ and that’s okay too.

  • The thoughts can snowball until we’ve worked ourselves into a state of restlessness and discontent.
  • According to a 2012 study, grateful individuals experience less minor pains and report feeling healthier.
  • Sometimes things feel difficult – maybe even unconquerable.
  • Practicing gratitude in recovery can help someone realize life’s difficulties can be faced with dignity.

Getting sober gives alcoholics and addicts a chance to repair some of these important relationships. It also opens up new avenues to alcoholics whose social worlds might have been limited to their local bar. The recovery community is a great resource for companionship and fun times. By getting involved in a 12-step group, a recovering alcoholic not only strengthens their sobriety but also gets to meet new friends. Journaling has a long-established history as a tool for self-discovery and healing. Journal therapy is a part of many kinds of counseling and group work, but anyone can use a journal to explore feelings, process events, and create conditions for change.

What’s the Importance of Gratitude in Recovery?

With Thanksgiving nearing closer we pulled together some of the most common things to be grateful for when in recovery. I am so grateful for my sobriety which is the center of my world for without I would have nothing but misery. I am grateful for my relationship with my creator, Wakan Tanka, Tunkasia, the Great Sprit.

gratitude list in recovery

No matter where on your journey – considering sobriety, living sober for years or months already – our newsletter is here as a guide with helpful resources, events, and more. By flooding the brain with endorphins, rugs and alcohol provide such a powerful thrill to addicts that most other activities pale in comparison. In fact, it’s time to rediscover old hobbies and discover entirely new ones. Whether it’s sitting down at home and relaxing with a book or playing a game of pickup basketball with friends, you’ll probably end up feeling better than you ever did while using.

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A gratitude list is exactly what it sounds like – a list of things you’re grateful for. At Immersion Recovery Center, we teach our clients how to make their own gratitude lists as part of our comprehensive program of alcohol addiction recovery. Doing so has proven to be an exceptionally useful coping skill.

  • Make a deliberate effort to replace old drug related behaviors and thoughts with new, positive ones.
  • Choose three ways to be of service and make someone feel special today by doing something nice for no reason.
  • We offer a tropical resort-like setting where you can work on achieving sobriety.
  • Attendance at work or school takes a turn for the worst, culminating in the loss of employment and many other opportunities, financial hardships, and perhaps even homelessness.
  • The most important part of this practice is the feeling itself.

If you’re grateful for your mother, you call her or visit her. If you’re grateful for your recovery, you stay committed and contribute to it. Practicing gratitude helps us connect more deeply with the people and things we love in our lives, while acknowledging how they enable us to live a better life each day as we navigate recovery.

What Is a Gratitude Journal?

Being thankful brings more to be thankful for into your life. This multiplies and before you know it your life is beyond your wildest dreams. 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. When you choose to think with a grateful mindset, you will improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health. All of which makes for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled you.

So I jumped on the morning journaling bandwagon with gratitude. Because of this sustained numbness, recovery can often be a very intense time. Once you have considered these factors, you can start to narrow down your choices. Talking with an addiction specialist can help make choosing the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ right program easier. The Find Addiction Rehabs team can help you find a treatment program that is right for you with a confidential call today. We survived the hardest parts, and every day that we wake up should be treated as a gift worth paying attention to and being thankful for.

Gratitude Prompt #7 – How am I Going to Express My Gratitude to Our Creator?

David moved to California from his hometown in North Carolina after multiple failed attempts to get sober. While living in an all-male sober living, David started to excel as a leader and mentor. These skills and tools ended up being the catalyst for his recovery and ultimately the foundation he has today. David has a passion for helping young men and sharing his experience. After working in the treatment industry he noticed a serious need for ethical sober living facilities.

gratitude list in recovery

Again, be specific with what hurting them would look like, again. This writing prompt is essential for your gratitude journal. Make a list gratitude in recovery of all the things and people affected if you were to relapse. This journal prompt is a helpful tool to keep in your recovery toolbox.