Practicing Gratitude

Although it is important to practice gratitude no matter what time of year it is, it is normal to think about what we are thankful for more around this time of year. As Thanksgiving approaches, it is only natural that we start to think about everything that we are grateful for. Because this can tend to be a stressful time of year for most, and even a lonely time of year for some, it can be difficult to practice gratitude and think positive thoughts. If you are struggling with this, the good news is that there are some different ways to get into the process of positive thinking and practicing gratitude, and you just have to find what works for you. This practice can be a game-changer for our mental health, as it puts us in a positive frame of mind and it helps improve our relationships with other people. When we think positive, we attract positivity (ever heard of the Law of Attraction?). This practice also helps us notice small victories in our life, such as good feedback at our place of work, arriving somewhere on time, or even a simple cup of coffee!

So, just remember that building your capacity for gratitude isn’t difficult, it just takes practice. The more you can focus your attention to that which you feel grateful for, the more you’ll notice to be grateful for. Follow along for some mental tips and tricks that you can use to increase positive thoughts and gratitude in your everyday life:

Keep a Gratitude Journal: Establish a daily practice in which you remind yourself of the gifts, grace, benefits, and good things you enjoy. Recalling moments of gratitude associated with ordinary events, your personal attributes, or valued people in your life gives you the potential to interweave a sustainable theme of gratefulness into your life.

Remember the Bad: To be grateful in your current state, it is helpful to remember the hard times that you once experienced. When you remember how difficult life used to be and how far you have come, you set up an explicit contrast in your mind, and this contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness.

Share Your Gratitude with Others: Studies have found that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships. The next time your partner, friend or family member does something you appreciate, be sure to let them know.

Use Visual Reminders: Because the two primary obstacles to gratefulness are forgetfulness and a lack of mindful awareness, visual reminders can serve as cues to trigger thoughts of gratitude. Often times, the best visual reminders are other people.

Savor the good: On days when gratitude feels difficult to find, tune into your senses. This meditation invites you to cultivate thankfulness by slowing down and noticing what you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. There doesn’t have to be anything special going on in order to practice gratitude—maybe it’s as simple as feeling grateful for your morning coffee, or for a good book. Explore this simple practice to appreciate the little things.

So, the next time you are struggling with keeping a positive mindset or thinking about ways to be grateful for everything good in your life, come back and refer to these five tips. Although there are many other ways that you can practice gratitude, these are some basics to help get you started. Everyone will have a unique method that works for them when it comes to practicing daily positivity, so just find what works for you and try to stick with it. Practicing gratitude is extremely important in our daily lives, and it is the key to thriving and creating the life that you dream of living. It will improve your mental health, and it will aid in improving your relationships with those around you. Start right now by writing down 5-10 things in your life that you are thankful for- it is a great exercise to start with, and it may lead to some inspiration! We would love to hear about all the positive things that you have in your life, so if you would like, feel free to email us your gratitude list at info@aranciapt.com!