If you’re grappling with addiction and searching for the path to recovery, you’ve likely researched the advanced treatments available today – things like cognitive behavioral therapy, disease education classes and comprehensive life skills training. Though, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most effective ways of overcoming substance abuse is actually very simple. It’s all about acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the gifts you have been given in life.
Being thankful for the simple things can actually help you on your journey to addiction recovery in a lot of ways. It can help you see that you are worth fighting for while also helping you rebuild your self-esteem and boost your outlook on life. And, active gratitude can take many forms – it can be as simple as watching a vibrant sunset, feeling the crisp morning breeze and enjoying a cup of coffee with your next door neighbor.
If you are taking the first step towards a life of lasting sobriety, try incorporating more gratitude into your everyday life and start a gratitude journal. Here are a few tips to help you get started. Focus on people, not material things. If you are starting a new habit of expressing gratitude, you shouldn’t limit your gratitude to material possessions or lavish vacations. Think about the people in your life who have helped you navigate the rough times and never gave up on you.
- Don’t edit yourself. If you are working on expressing your gratitude each day, it might seem overwhelming at first. But, you need to remember that you’re not writing a novel or a newspaper article for other people to read. Your gratitude journal is meant for your eyes only. Pull out your pen and open your journal and just start writing.
- Schedule your time of gratitude. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day activities and overlook some things on your to-do list – especially when you are starting a new routine. To make gratitude more of a priority in your life, add it to your regular routine. Consider setting your alarm an extra five minutes earlier in the morning to make time for gratitude.
- Be honest. Being grateful means different things to different people. If you are keeping a journal of gratitude, keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer. It’s all about expressing your personal thoughts.
- Don’t give up. Starting any new habit may seem difficult at first but eventually adding gratitude to each day will become part of your normal routine.
Addiction Center for Men
Welcome to 10 Acre Ranch, a comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab for men 18 and older. We are fully licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services and have been serving men struggling with addiction since 1992. We accept most insurance policies and our private pay fees are economical and affordable. To tour our facility or discuss alcohol rehab for yourself or a loved one, dial 877-228-4679 or submit a confidential online inquiry today.
