You have reached the point in which you are doing the same thing each day. Your life has become boring, and you lack motivation in your recovery. It is easy to get into a pessimistic state of mind and lack the motivation to overcome challenges within your recovery. You may even find yourself entertaining negative thoughts and being tired of the fight. All this can be changed by focusing on gratitude daily and reminding yourself of all the things that you have already overcome.
Sometimes it can be challenging to maintain that motivation that you had in early recovery. Maybe you find yourself thinking about everything that has changed, and your mind takes you back to when things were simple. This article will provide helpful tips to walk you through practicing gratitude daily through mindfulness, adventure, and individual therapy.
How Can Gratitude Help Me in Recovery?
In early treatment, you recognize that addiction has a profound effect on your body, brain, and emotions. It takes time to rewire your brain into a positive way of thinking. All too often, impatience starts to set in, and then comes frustration. You have to enjoy the process and give yourself grace throughout this time.
Cultivating gratitude in your daily life is the foundation of a positive recovery. This way of thinking helps you stay grounded amid trials in your life. You are reminded to stay in the present moment and utilize difficult moments for growth. When practicing gratitude, your thoughts change into abundance and change your perspective of the world.
Gratitude is defined as showing appreciation within the moment and returning kindness. Being grateful is key to living an empowered and happy life. Not to mention a positive outlook on your recovery. The more grateful you are, the more positive thoughts find their way into your mind.
How Can Gratitude Motivate Me?
Practicing gratitude gives you power over negative thought processes. When you walk through life and see everything that is wrong, you continue to see the negatives. Life becomes one giant wrongful event. However, if you start to look for the positives, you see things from a different point of view, and less negativity surfaces.
In recovery, these negative thoughts can be detrimental to your life. At times, the negative thoughts can be so overwhelming that they become triggers. It is easy to get caught up in negative thinking and get stuck in this cycle. The best way to overcome this cycle is to practice gratitude until it becomes a habit. When you stop looking for what is wrong and search for all the rights, your life will be transformed.
Why Is Gratitude Important to My Well-Being?
Choosing to think with a grateful mindset will help improve all aspects of your life. You will improve your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. All of which makes for a happier and healthier version of yourself. These effects are important for overall wellness for a few reasons.
Resilience
Gratitude helps you to refocus on the positive things. When faced with difficult events, you have learned to see the good, which allows you to decrease stress levels. A research study looked into resilience and gratitude following a traumatic event. The article reported that people with gratitude had an appreciation for life within the moment versus those who did not. Gratitude plays an important part in resilience.
Builds Healthy Relationships
When you are focused on gratitude, you have a sense of appreciation for all things around you, including relationships. Perhaps you find yourself struggling with making amends in your recovery. Start identifying the things that you are grateful about that individual. Your perspective will start to change.
Improves Sleep
Do you struggle with restless nights? Practice gratitude before bed. Take several minutes and write down at least five things that you are grateful for. Sound odd? Try it and see what happens.
You Can Start Now
Perhaps you are still not convinced that being grateful can have all of these benefits. It does not take a lot to discuss things within your life that you are grateful for and it is free. You can start at this moment. All it takes is willingness. After all, what do you have to lose?
Adventure Therapy
Sometimes, you lose motivation in recovery because you have been in the same cycle of doing things. You may just need to step out of your comfort zone and do something that can help you to grow. Adventure therapy could be one of those ideas that can help you be the best version of yourself.
Practicing gratitude while in nature can revive your soul. This opportunity can help you connect to others and nature and get in touch with gratitude. All you have to do is look around.
Individual Therapy
You may be questioning gratitude within recovery and how that will motivate you. The concept seems to be simple; however, it is important to continue the practice daily. If you struggle with gratitude and would like to speak to a professional, individual therapy is a resource to have at your fingertips. At The Guest House, we will meet you with unconditional positive regard. We value your willingness and courage to put your recovery first. You are only one step away from changing your thoughts and living your best life.
Staying motivated during your recovery is a rough place to be in. It takes a significant amount of self-discipline to continue your journey of recovery. Practicing gratitude daily can give you the motivation that you have been searching for. Reflecting on all the lessons you have learned and continue to grow from is just a part of gratitude. At The Guest House, we understand the challenges that come with recovery. We focus on creating a safe space for you to discuss your concerns within recovery. This is why we have an alumni program that can provide guidance and support within your journey. Give us a call today at (855) 483-7800. We are here to help you.