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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » Recovery Milestone #2: Attaining Gratitude
In the spirit of “National Recovery Month,” an annual celebration of recovery that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosts every September, I’ve been devoting each blog this month to a “milestone” in recovery. And by milestone, I mean something that’s worth all the hard work, because accomplishing it makes you healthier, happier and stronger in recovery. In this sense, a milestone is also something that calls for celebration.
Last week, we looked at one big recovery milestone — namely, “sober anniversaries,” key points in space and time that, whether big or small, represent a step forward in the recovery journey. We also explored some fun, creative ways to build positive memories around these points of celebration.
This week we’ll look at another big recovery milestone: gratitude, or the quality of being grateful, which also involves a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness, according to at least one definition of the concept.
Gratitude is a big milestone in recovery for a couple of reasons. First, it’s often an indication of mental and emotional health and wellbeing. And its benefits for recovery and for mental health more generally have been scientifically studied and documented. Here they are, as described in an article in Forbes magazine:
Here’s another really interesting tidbit about gratitude that mental health writer Therese Borchard has referenced from the writer Dan Baker’s book, What Happy People Know: it is apparently impossible to be in a state of appreciation and anxiety at the same time. If that is the case, and if life were as simple as choosing between these two states, wouldn’t you choose gratitude and appreciation over fear and anxiety?
Below are some practical tips that can help you choose gratitude over fear, so that the art of being appreciative for life’s many gifts will come more naturally with time, as something embodied (in other words, as more of a reflex than a conscious choice or forced response):
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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