The neuroscience behind gratitude and health: recent studies have concluded that the expression of gratitude can have profound and positive effects on our health.
A growing body of research shows that gratitude can having amazing physical and psychosocial benefits. If you invest in a negative way os seeing the world, you are going to get a world that is more negative. But if you can find authentic reasons to be thankful and put your attention there, statistics are showing that you will benefit health-wise. But this is not the same as a state of denial, you need to find real things to be thankful for in order to reap the benefits.
Practicing gratitude can be a powerful force in our daily life. It’s more than just saying thank you to someone, it’s a commitment to let go of hostile and bitter thoughts about people or events in your life, and to invite appreciation into your heart and mind for all of the things you do have in your life. And in addiction recovery, this can be a powerful force to cultivate.
A few ways to help cultivate gratitude in addiction recovery include:
- Write down a list of things that you are grateful for. Don’t focus on the things your addiction took away from you, focus on what recovery has given you and on what you have learned. Look for things that have brought you pleasure, joy or inspiration in your recovery. It could be something as simple as how you now notice a sunset since you’ve been sober.
- Review this list before you go to bed at night or when you wake up in the morning.
- Reach out to others in meaningful ways to express gratitude. Here are some suggestions.
- Embrace life’s imperfections and its uncontrollable circumstances. So much in our lives is determined, not by what happens to us, but by how we choose react to what happens to us. It’s important how we decide to set our attitude regardless of the situation. This holiday season cultivate gratitude and watch the peace, serenity and joy in your recovery grow.
