May 5, 2023
1151
Mind & Mood
4 ways to practice gratitude
We are in the season of thankfulness, and for many of us, it can be a time to appreciate and spend time with our family and friends. Many also reflect on everything that has occurred this calendar year as we approach January.
There has been research conducted showing that having a regular gratitude practice improves your health and well-being on many levels. This includes having lower stress levels and better sleep. It is also associated with stronger relationships, higher self-esteem, and enhanced physical and mental health.
So, what does practicing gratitude look like? First, it’s setting the intention to try and focus on the positive parts of your life and the world around you. For many of us, this takes a lot of effort because we are constantly seeing negative information and stories along with being around negative people. Research shows that 15 minutes per day for at least five days per week for six weeks has a favorable impact.
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There are different ways this can be done.
Journaling: One way is taking the time to write down in a notebook or journal something that went well during the day.
Enjoying nature: It can also include taking notice of some of the beauty outside in nature, like a beautiful tree or sunset, a group of bright flowers, or perhaps a nice garden.
Showing appreciation: Other examples would be telling someone how much you appreciate them or encouraging a positive trait they possess.
Thinking positively: Lastly, and likely the hardest aspect for many, is to take note of negative thoughts that enter our mind and replace them with more positive ones. This takes practice, but it does get easier the more you do it, as is true for all these examples.
Ultimately, see what works best for you and try to make it a good habit in your daily life.
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