A sense of gratitude helps you show appreciation for the kindness of others. Living with the emotionally distressing side effects of substance use disorder (SUD) may make it difficult for you to recognize and express gratitude. However, practicing an attitude of gratitude can significantly improve your mental health. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress.” The Guest House assists alumni with maintaining an attitude of gratitude by offering a forum for healthy community engagement.
What Is an Attitude of Gratitude?
An attitude of gratitude involves consciously choosing to notice and acknowledge the positive occurrences in your life. You can express gratitude for people, experiences, feelings, and thoughts. Positive situations that make you feel better about yourself and your circumstances can profoundly impact how you maintain sobriety and cope with stress. Practicing gratitude increases positivity and improves overall health.
5 Ways to Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
Developing a positive outlook on life takes practice. At first, it may be challenging to recognize everything that you can be grateful for. Over time, however, you will find it easier to identify positive aspects and express appreciation for them. Below are five ways people in ongoing recovery develop a positive attitude and share gratitude.
#1. Write Down What You Are Grateful For
Keeping a gratitude journal makes it easier to identify all the positive things you experience daily. Living with chronic or recurring health issues can sometimes make it hard to see the ways your life is improving.
During aftercare and ongoing recovery, you can benefit from keeping track of everything that makes you feel happy and grateful. Many people keep a physical journal. Apps for smart devices are also an excellent way to track and share your gratitude.
#2. Express Your Gratitude to Others
People who make your life better deserve to know how you feel. Expressing your appreciation to others can improve your mental health and make others feel better as well. Everyone enjoys being acknowledged and appreciated.
Express your gratitude to others by doing the following:
- Writing personalized “thank you” notes
- Verbally expressing appreciation
- Giving thoughtful gifts in response to kind gestures
- Publicly acknowledging the kindness of others
- Sharing positive feedback
- Giving compliments
- Supporting people’s goals
Expressing your gratitude is also an excellent way to reduce some symptoms of mental health issues, including depressive or anxiety-related disorders. Scientists explain in the journal Einstein that “acts of gratitude can be used as a therapeutic complement for treating anxiety and depression and can increase positive feelings and emotions.”
#3. Practice Compassion and Be Kind to Yourself
Gratitude does not have to be focused on others to improve mental health. Showing compassion and appreciation for your own successes and achievements can help you feel more positive about life and recovery. Practice self-compassion by rewarding yourself for meeting important goals or sharing your achievements with others. Self-compassion can increase self-confidence and self-esteem.
#4. Create Visual Reminders of Things That Make You Feel Grateful
A physical or digital gratitude board promotes positivity and allows you to see things from a different point of view. For example, being grateful for your family’s support feels more meaningful if you have pictures of your loved ones somewhere easily viewable daily. You can use various visual reminders to help you focus on what makes you feel hopeful and happy. Visual reminders often trigger a more positive mindset.
Some examples of visual reminders you can use include the following:
- Gratitude journals
- Pictures
- Inspirational quotes
- A vision board
- Daily affirmations
- Gratitude sticky notes
Creating visual reminders of gratitude can support ongoing sobriety by reminding you of the many reasons to appreciate your life.
#5. Practice Mindfulness to Foster an Attitude of Gratitude
Mindfulness allows you to focus on the present and how your experiences affect your emotions and behaviors. You can practice an attitude of gratitude by using meditation or other mindfulness techniques to increase awareness of the many positive experiences in your life.
Some mindfulness techniques you can use to increase positivity include the following:
- Gratitude meditation
- Mindful listening
- Practicing mindful affirmations
Mindfulness encourages you to become more familiar with the positive aspects of your daily life. The thoughts and experiences you choose to focus on will affect how you feel about yourself and others.
The Health Benefits of Embracing an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude has a positive effect on emotional and physical health. According to the previously mentioned article by the NIH, “Early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could affect the body … one study found that gratitude was linked to fewer signs of heart disease.” The Guest House encourages current clients and alumni to practice gratitude as a form of self-care.
Showing gratitude for the positive things in your life improves your mental health by making it easier to focus on the things that make you feel happy and fulfilled. Reducing negativity in your life decreases stress and strengthens resilience. The things you choose to focus on have a direct impact on your mental health and recovery from substance abuse. By focusing on the things you feel grateful for, you become more aware of how many good things happen to you in your everyday life. The Guest House encourages current clients and alumni to practice an attitude of gratitude during treatment and ongoing recovery. Contact our office today at (855) 483-7800 to learn more about our alumni support services.