GRATITUDE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF RECOVERY.
Cultivating gratitude is an important piece in the recovery process for both the person in recovery and their loved ones. Gratitude creates happiness and where there is happiness, there is joy. Gratitude has so many positive benefits. Shifting your focus and mindset from negative to positive decreases stress levels and increases joy. Daily and continuous practice of gratitude fosters happiness, positive thinking, and wellness. It is so easy to practice too! The rest of this newsletter outlines how you can practice gratitude in your daily life and incorporate it into your routine!
GRATITUDE IS A POWERFUL CATALYST FOR HAPPINESS.
Practicing gratitude has so many positive benefits for your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Daily practice of gratitude can reduce cortisol levels in your brain that are caused by stress or other negative emotions. By reducing cortisol levels, you can have a stronger immune system, better sleeping patterns, lower blood pressure, and reduced pain throughout your body. Psychologically, gratitude increases joy, optimism, and other positive emotions.
Increased optimism leads to better and more consistent days with less stress in your life. Gratitude also has social benefits! Being grateful will help you increase your desire to be helpful to others. It will also help you be more outgoing, which can reduce feelings of isolation. Isolation is the opposite of recovery. Unity keeps people connected and on the path of recovery. Gratitude can also help you forgive others and rebuild trust. The benefits of gratitude are immense!
Benefits of Gratitude
Physical:
Stronger immune system.
Reduced sense of pain.
Lower blood pressure.
Better sleep.
Social:
Desire to be helpful.
Increased feelings of forgiveness.
Increased interest in being outgoing.
Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Psychological:
Increased positive emotions.
Increased sense of joy.
Increased feelings of optimism.
GRATITUDE IS FEELING JOY FOR ALL YOU HAVE.
There are so many ways in which you can practice gratitude in your daily life. Simply keeping a gratitude journal is one way. Write down 3-5 things you are grateful for everyday. Focus on what is important in your life, and make sure you share your appreciation for those things. Do things for others.
Open the door for someone, pay for the person’s coffee behind you in the drive-thru, or simply thank someone for their service. Be kind to those around you and to yourself. Be patient with people, and remember, it takes practice! Daily practice will give you better results.
Ways to Practice Gratitude
Keep a gratitude journal.
Write down 3-5 things you are grateful for everyday.
Focus on what is important.
Keep your focus on what and who matters most to you.
Often times, the small things are taken for granted, but what would life be like without those small things?
Share your appreciation.
Think about all those who have made an impact in your life.
Share your gratitude with them.
Give back and express your gratitude.
Appreciate the small things.
Give to others freely and without expectations, to show your gratitude.
GRATITUDE TURNS WHAT WE HAVE INTO ENOUGH.
Gratitude is an action word! To actually practice gratitude, you have to act on the words you speak and the thoughts you think. When we act on the gratitude we have, we are able to share it freely with those around us. When people around us are grateful, we are more apt to be grateful, too.
Positivity breeds positivity. What we focus on is what we see, and what we feed, grows! Remember, the small things matter, take time to share your gratitude, and continue walking down the road of recovery. We, at Heartland Wellness Center are so grateful for you.
WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE,
