As the saying goes, the more you give thanks for what you have, the more you’ll have to be thankful for.
While it can sometimes feel challenging to shift to a gratitude perspective, try starting small to get used to it. For example, look at what’s in your immediate vicinity and choose one thing that you’re thankful for. Maybe it’s your coffee, the person you’re with, or your ability to sit upright in a chair. Choose something and think of how you are grateful for it. When you feel the feeling of gratitude start to come in – even just a little – hold yourself in that space and take several breaths.
Gratitude can improve a variety of health measures, and it can certainly enhance your quality of life.
A great way to work gratitude into your day is habit stacking – choose one of your daily habits, like brushing your teeth, taking your dog outside, or picking up your mail, and add a gratitude habit to your existing habit. Meaning that, every time you brush your teeth in the evening, you think of something you’re grateful happened that day. Your current habit acts like a trigger for your new gratitude habit!
Of course, you can layer gratitude into your day as much as you want. The sandwich you had for lunch? Grateful that you could afford it and digest it. The car that cut you off in traffic? Grateful that it provided you an opportunity to practice forgiveness. The coffee spill on your new scarf? Grateful that you can go get another scarf to use and maybe meet someone new on your shopping trip.
A gratitude practice doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to mean that you can’t get upset about something that happens. Feelings are natural. Gratitude provides a window to experiencing life in a different way that has shown benefits for health and well-being.
This time of year can be incredibly joyful or exquisitely challenging – or both – for people. Give yourself the gift of trying a gratitude practice.
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