Spending a little effort and time each day focusing on feelings of gratitude can have a number of benefits that reverberate throughout your life. Feeling thankful for the positive aspects of your life and the privileges you enjoy can improve your mood, improve your sleep, alleviate stress, boost your energy. Gratitude is even shown to help boost your immune system. Here are a few easy methods to practice gratitude:
Express and Show Your Thanks
Many of us are guilty of feeling thankful, but not always showing or expressing it to others as much as we should. You’d be surprised just how powerful this gesture can be. It makes another person feel great and in turn, makes you feel great as well. Whenever you feel thankful for something or to someone, make an effort to express it. It could be that extra thanks to your spouse for a tasty dinner, that note of gratitude to your neighbour for checking your mail while you were away, or that warm smile to the cashier at the coffee shop. You never know when your simple act of gratitude and kindness can turn someone’s day around.
Create a Journal
Another powerful method to enhance those feelings of appreciation is to start a gratitude journal. Every day, take five or ten minutes to journal what you are thankful for – your family, your home, your health, Auston Matthews. This simple practice can keep you positive even after a bad day. Journaling can help you open your eyes to all that there is to be grateful for in your life.
Stay Optimistic
When you’re consciously thinking about what you feel lucky and thankful for, you can’t help but feel good. It can instantly alter your mood or negative thoughts and help to transform any negative habits and emotions into positive ones.
Avoid Complaining or Criticizing
Make a point to reduce and avoid complaining or speaking negatively about others. We are human, so we can’t always be perfect. If you do notice your mind going towards negative judgment just try to alter your thoughts and train your mind each time you start complaining. Instead of complaining about your commute, be grateful that you’re in a warm, safe car with your favourite song playing, driving from work that pays for your beautiful home, and so on.
Practicing gratitude can truly transform your life. Being thankful can improve your mood, improve your relationships with others, and make you feel happier. So continue 2017 on a positive note by using some of these simple ways to incorporate more gratitude into your daily life
