What happens when you practice Gratitude!
Practicing gratitude doesn’t cost any money, it doesn’t take much time, and the benefits are enormous. Science research has proven that practicing gratitude can have several benefits including benefits to your overall mental health and well-being.
There are no set rules for practicing gratitude.
It can mean different things to different people. From daily journaling to evening prayers, gratitude practice can take many forms.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
What does it mean to practice gratitude?
Gratitude is defined as the affirmation of goodness. It is the pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted.
Gratitude involves giving recognition to the positive things in your life and how they affect you. This can range from acknowledging the wonderful people you have in your life to the feeling of thanks that comes from recovering from a serious illness.
Benefits of practicing gratitude
There are many benefits of practicing gratitude, both mental and physical. Consistent practice has proven to have measurable positive effects on health.
Boosts the immune system
Improves mental health
Improved relationships
Increased optimism
Practicing gratitude can be done in different ways,
journaling your gratitude thoughts
paying attention to the little things in life, like your health or what made you smile today
letting someone you’re know how grateful you are for them or for something they did
showing your gratitude by helping someone special
reflecting on the positive areas of your life
giving thanks through prayer
How to start practicing gratitude
Journaling your gratitude
Every day, write down the things you are grateful that day. Try to think of 6 things you are thankful for. There are no rules to journaling. Some people use a physical journal book, or an app on their phone such as, Gratitude App, Bliss Gratitude App, Grateful Gratitude Journal, 365 Gratitude Journal or Gratitude Garden.
Use whatever is best for you!
Gratitude Vision Boarding
This is fun for those of you who love to be visual and creative. Make a visual board or create a visual in a book of everything you’re grateful for. Put it somewhere in your home or office to remind yourself of what you are grateful for every day. Great creative!
Gratitude jar
A gratitude jar is a great way to start focusing on being grateful.
When something good happens or when you feel grateful for something, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in your gratitude jar. When you are feeling down and need a gratitude reminder. use your gratitude jar to pick out one of the pieces of paper.
This is a good way to remind you of something you are grateful for in your life, especially when times are tough.
Morning or Evening Gratitude
Focus on the things you’re grateful for or reflect over your life and be grateful for what you have experienced that has brought you to where you are.
To do this, remember the past, both good and bad. Reflect on how far you’ve come since then. This puts the present into context and allows you to clearly see it, helping you feel grateful for what brought you to this point.
The morning is a great time to practice gratitude, as it sets you up for the day with an optimistic outlook.
The evening is a great time to practice gratitude, as it helps you wind down and ends your day on a positive note.
Remember, there are no rules, which ever one works best for you is the way to practice your gratitude.
Prayer
No matter your belief, prayer can be a helpful tool for generating feelings of gratitude. Prayer has been linked to positive health outcomes such as calming your nervous system.
Prayer can foster a sense of connection, with a higher power, your environment, and other people.
There is no one set way to pray and it provides an opportunity to reflect on life. It doesn’t have to involve a particular belief or tradition but can simply be a way of giving gratitude for being alive and the opportunities you have received.
Helping others
Helping others offers a practical way to practice gratitude. Helping those in need can inspire you to reflect on your own circumstances and bring on a sense of compassion and connection to humanity.
Final thought,
Practicing gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude can help you feel more positive emotions, enjoy good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
You really don’t have much to lose, give it a try. It just might be time well spent!
