While on your path to recovery, it’s important to focus on your mind and perspective on life while you focus on improving your physical health. In fact, it’s highly important to focus on gratitude specifically since grateful addicts in recovery tend to have better outcomes.
What Is Gratitude?
Gratitude is a word that many people hear, but don’t fully understand. Whenever someone is thankful for something, they appreciate things done for them and the world around them. Gratitude goes a step further by incorporating action into the thanks.
Gratitude isn’t just about appreciating gifts, but it is also about repaying them or paying them forward. In other words, gratitude is whenever you show your thankfulness to the outside world.
Although gratitude may seem simple, it is something that many people forget about, but it’s imperative for everyone to show gratitude for a happy and well-meaning life.
Why Gratitude Is Important for Recovery
Gratitude is especially important for addicts in their recovery. Studies have found that practicing gratefulness helps to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also help you to stay motivated when improving yourself and becoming a better person.
Because addicts need all the help they can get when it comes to anxiety, depression, and motivation, gratitude can make a huge difference in one’s recovery. How exactly does gratitude make a difference in recovery, though?
Part of the reason why gratitude is important for recovery is that it transforms your neurobiology. By practicing gratitude consistently, your brain begins releasing more dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters help you feel better so you can continue your recovery.
Another reason why gratitude is so important for recovery is that it helps to increase optimism. Whenever you are in recovery, it may feel overwhelming trying to overcome all of your demons at once. By being grateful, you can stay optimistic and focus on the challenges at hand.
Not to mention, gratitude can help you repair old relationships and build new relationships. That way, you have a healthy support system that is based on trust and respect.
How to Become a Grateful Recovering Addict
Becoming a grateful recovering addict can be difficult. Because gratitude is something that many people know nothing about, it’s difficult to begin practicing gratitude. Even so, there are little things you can do to become one of the grateful addicts in recovery.
Most importantly, try to give more than you receive every single day. Something as simple as preparing coffee for a friend is an act of gratitude. So too is writing letters or supporting someone who is going through a hard time. Always try to give when you can.
You can also practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal. In a gratitude journal, you will write things you are grateful for every single day. A gratitude journal only takes a few minutes to fill out, but it can make a huge difference in your mood.
Whenever you are feeling under the weather, it’s important to focus on the good things in life and the things you have. For example, you may feel down one day because of your addiction. Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, such as your wonderful family, or the beautiful weather outside.
Contact Outpatient LA for Help
Any of the grateful addicts in recovery will tell you that gratitude is something that is developed over time. If you are an addict struggling with recovery, get the help you need from Outpatient LA.
Outpatient LA can help you face your addiction head-on, all while teaching you effective strategies for expressing gratitude in your day-to-day life. Contact us today for more information.