How to Practice Gratitude
Research shows that grateful people are happier, have stronger relationships, and are more optimistic. More importantly, being thankful makes us healthier and more comfortable. And it’s not as hard or scary as it might sound at first. Let these eight gratitude tips give you the courage to live a valued life, no matter what challenges you might face.
1. Start your day with writing and reflecting on what you’re grateful for
Practicing gratitude is a way of letting go of the need for control and appreciating what you already have. It’s a shift in perspective – from a place of worry, scarcity, and self-criticism to one of abundance, peace, and appreciation for life. One of the best ways to practice this daily is by reflecting on why you are grateful. You can either do it in a journal or put on headphones and set a timer for 5-10 minutes. This way, you can ensure that you don’t get caught up in your thoughts and just let gratitude flow naturally.
2. Write a gratitude letter to someone important in your life
A gratitude letter is a great way to remind yourself of what you have in your life and express your gratitude to others. It can be a handwritten letter, or you can type it. The key is to put down what you are grateful for in as much detail as possible. You can write a gratitude letter to anyone you’re thankful for – your partner, parents, best friend, or mentor. Doing so will help you keep a grateful mindset and show others what they mean to you.
3. Don’t underestimate the power of small gestures
It’s easy to get so busy that gratitude often seems forgotten. A gratitude attitude is a powerful gesture that reinforces the kindness that holds loving and gentle relationships together. And when the going gets tough, these acts of gratitude help us stay connected. Think about how you can express appreciation to the people around you. It can be anything from surprising them with a cup of coffee or a small gift to telling them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. These small acts will make a big difference in how you and others feel about you.
4. Practice mindfulness to increase gratitude – It will train your brain to find the good.
When stressed out, we tend to focus on the negative. This gets in the way of gratitude. It often makes it harder to be grateful. It’s like having a fog in our brain that makes it impossible to see the good. Being mindful helps us see things from a new perspective. It trains us to focus on the present moment, let go of judgment and criticism, and find something to be grateful for in our lives. There are many ways to practice mindfulness. One of the simplest ways to start is by finding a moment to pause and take a few slow breaths throughout your day.
5. Practice Gratitude by helping others will make you feel better.
Sometimes we’re too busy looking at what we lack and don’t have in our lives that we forget to turn around and look at all the gifts we have received. Helping others shifts our focus from our problems and issues to theirs. And in the process, it makes us feel better about ourselves. You can help people in a variety of ways. You can do some volunteer work at a local charity or non-profit organization. Or you can share your skills with others by teaching something you know. You can also try to help people you’re already in contact with in new ways: Ask your friends what they need or want, or go out of your way to help someone you don’t know.
6. Remember that feeling guilty won’t bring back lost time or fix past mistakes.
Sometimes we feel guilty about past mistakes or things that have happened in our lives. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings, but it’s equally important not to get caught up in guilt and shame. Feeling guilty does not bring back lost time or fix past mistakes. It only makes you feel bad about yourself. Acknowledging what you think is essential, replacing those feelings with gratitude and self-compassion. Instead of focusing on what you did wrong or the things you wish you could go back and change, try to think about what you have learned from your past and how it has made you a better person today.
7. There’s no such thing as perfectionism
People often think it’s necessary to do everything perfectly, have a perfect life, and be the ideal person. This can lead to disappointment, stress, and guilt. Perfectionism is an unfulfilling and unhelpful way of living your life. It always demands more from you than you can deliver. Perfectionism’s foundation is the idea that there is a perfect life, person, and mistake-free performance. It’s human to make mistakes. Why not make peace with that and do the best you can be?
8. Be proud of what you’ve already achieved.
Many people get caught up in worrying about the future and regretting things they did in the past. They get stuck believing their current struggles are a sign that their life is not good enough. Every human being experiences challenges in life. The question is not whether they will happen but when they will happen. You are enough. You don’t have to be perfect; you have to be you.
Be proud of who you are and what you’ve already achieved. You are worthy and enough.
Wishing you days filled with gratitude and appreciation
If you would like more information on gratitude practices, see more in the Gratitude Notes Blog.
Much Love
Kristeen