It is the middle of February. In the Midwest it is cold, dreary, windy, and it seems like we have not seen green grass in ages. I have always wondered why I chose to live someplace where the wind hurts my face! When the weather isn’t ideal I find myself, at times, starting my day focused on how cold it’s going to be or how many inches of snow are coming. When I was actively using these things did not matter. Now that I am a person in long term recovery I notice my surroundings more.
I actively choose to start my day with gratitude. Why, you might ask? Studies have shown that if you start your day by thinking of things you are grateful for you are more likely to have a positive outlook on your day. Why is it important to have a positive mindset in recovery? In early recovery there are many emotions and feelings that surface. Sometimes this can be overwhelming. Active addiction can carry feelings of shame and guilt. In recovery we can counterbalance these feelings by having gratitude and hope.
Gratitude is an essential part of the recovery process. Gratitude in recovery promotes healing– physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It also promotes a positive attitude and allows a person to be fully present and immersed in the recovery process. Gratitude helps reduce or even eliminate emotional and physical triggers as well. When I speak of gratitude it is not just for the physical items we have obtained in recovery, but the people in our life, opportunities, feelings and emotions. Gratitude is not just a nice, simple thing to practice, it is essential for long-term recovery. Being grateful reminds us that even when things go wrong, there are still plenty of things to be thankful for. Having a grateful attitude allows us to take on challenges with a positive mindset and instead of seeing failures as setbacks, we can see it as an opportunity to improve.
Practicing gratitude also teaches us how to love and respect ourselves, which enables us to love and respect others as well. So, how do you become actively grateful in your recovery? Sustained gratitude in recovery is a skill, and it will take time to grow. If you are in recovery or would like to have more gratitude in your daily life here are some ways to practice gratitude.
- Every day write down three things you are grateful for. Do not worry if they seem simple; just get something down on paper. Writing your “gratitudes” will help identify some positive aspects of your life even on the worst days. By doing this act over and over it will get you into the habit of focusing on the positive.
- Gratitude practice can start with small things, such as appreciating the beautiful snow, a good meal, a conversation with a friend. Take moments out of your day to pause and think of things you are grateful for. This mindset will begin to feel more natural with practice.
- Practice acts of kindness by making a conscious effort to do something nice for no reason other than to help. A simple act of kindness can make your day better as well as the person you helped.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
-written by Leanna Sharrett, CRS, CADACI, Peer Recovery Specialist
