Gratitude Practices

It is difficult to hold a negative thought while feeling grateful. A body of evidence has emerged suggesting that gratitude is related to wellbeing including mood, life satisfaction, and health-related quality of life. Creating a state of deep gratitude can even lower inflammation in the body and can shift the body’s autonomic nervous system out of sympathetic tone (fight, flight, or freeze modes) to the healing parasympathetic state (rest and digest).

For some, gratitude also helps build resilience during hard times. Exploring gratitude in the face of life challenges is beneficial. You can be grateful about the choices you make. You can be grateful for people who support you on your journey. You can be grateful that other parts of your life are meaningful. You can be grateful that there may even be good things that grow out of your difficulty.

Research shows that a weekly gratitude practice can increase general happiness.

Try This: Gratitude Journal

Many people find that keeping a gratitude journal helps them nurture more appreciaiton. One way to practice being grateful is to write down three things that you are grateful for at the end of each day.

For example:

• A caring friend
• A devoted pet
• An amazing sunset
• A delicious meal
• A simple flower or natural delight

Try This: Gratefulness Rituals

A ritual is anything you practice regularly in the same way. Many people give thanks before a meal. Others count their blessings before sleep. What gratitude ritual will you add to your day?

Try This: Practice Awe

Awe is being amazed. Notice things in life that are truly remarkable. That may be large things like seeing the Grand Canyon. It may be thinking about how people have walked on the moon. It can also be small things, like how flowers bloom from a seed, or watching a bird in flight. According to the brilliant Albert Einstein, "There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle." Fortunately, there are many resources that can help you encourage more awe in your life.