But this type of anxiety is temporary and normal. People feel anxious for a variety of reasons–an upcoming job interview, a sickness in the family, moving to another state. Racing thoughts control one’s emotions while the physical effects of anxiety and fear fuel even more distressing thoughts.
Feeling anxious or struggling with a panic attack drags a person out of the present and into a state of fear, worry and misery. Serenity is the exact opposite of anxiety. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “serenity” as “the state or quality of being serene.” Likewise, the definition of serene is “suggestive of quietude, unruffled repose and utter calm.” How the Serenity Prayer Can Help with Anxiety These five tips can help those with mental illness improve mental health using the Serenity Prayer. These kinds of feelings can help those living with mental health challenges to ultimately accept their circumstances and strive for a better, healthier future. Believing in something bigger than oneself can help individuals find peace and acceptance that may otherwise be missing.
#Serenity prayer prayer how to#
How to Use the Serenity Prayer for Mental Health Needsįor those who find peace in religion, prayer and mental health can be intrinsically linked. Those of other faiths or who don’t believe in a higher power are encouraged to interpret mentions of God as a reference to the universe or fate. Some 12-step programs are critiqued for a heavy reliance on the Christian faith, but the Serenity Prayer is often presented as a mantra, rather than a true prayer, for those who aren’t religious. While this is commonly applied to addiction and the assumption that there are ways to change behavior for the better, the same principles can be applied to mental health. This central message encourages those facing tough circumstances to accept that there are some things that can’t be changed and many others that can be, and that understanding the difference can be key to overcoming challenges. The most important aspect of the Serenity Prayer for those seeking a brighter future is stated in the first four lines. More recently, people who live with mental health disorders have also adopted this prayer as a way to help them cope with their condition and its symptoms and challenges. As an ethicist, Niebuhr relied on writings by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and the teachings of Jesus when determining the most helpful virtues to include in his prayer.Īt its core, the fundamental meaning of the Serenity Prayer has to do with the ability to “let go of a situation that one cannot control and take deliberate actions in relation to the things they can control.”įor decades, members of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have used the Serenity Prayer as an aid in recovery.
Niebuhr incorporated four virtues in his prayer: wisdom, courage, serenity and acceptance. So that I may be reasonably happy in this lifeĪnd supremely happy with You forever in the next. Trusting that You will make all things right While there are different versions of the Serenity Prayer available, the most commonly used form reads as follows:Īccepting hardship as a pathway to peace Today, it’s highly recognizable, even among those who are not religious. The prayer itself was written by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s. The 12 steps, including the use of Serenity Prayer meditation, has proved to work, too, with higher rates of sobriety among those who have attended 12-step programs and adhered to the steps. The Serenity Prayer is one of the central aspects of 12-step programs and has been since the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935.
But for others, it’s the Prayer for Serenity at work, helping guide the healing process. For some people, improvement comes from counseling or medication.
There are many different ways to approach treatment for mental health. With a guiding message intended to inspire hope, faith and resilience, this prayer can help those in need make decisions for the better. In reality, this prayer can be a key part of recovering from any kind of challenging circumstances in life, and that includes mental health. However, the prayer isn’t exclusive to addiction treatment, despite the common associations. Even for those who aren’t religious, this prayer can offer the guidance necessary to accept addiction and make meaningful steps toward recovery. The Serenity Prayer is a common tool in the fight against addiction, serving as a central resource for those in 12-step programs of all kinds. Will Insurance Cover Behavioral Treatment?.Beacon Health / Value Options Insurance.Rehab Success Rate – Does It Really Work?.Shatterproof FHE Health (First Responders).
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