Stressed out?
Under pressure?
Have too much to do?
The need to get things done can cause us to feel worn out or even a bit down from time to time.
Did you know that something as simple as refocusing your attention from your challenges to acknowledging the things that you are grateful for in your life can instantly boost your mood?
Studies have proven that practicing gratitude on a regular basis can have many positive effects. Being grateful can raise your mood and boost your self-esteem, increase your will power, improve your long term health, and even increase your level of success!
Although you may be going through times that are challenging, and the world may seem a fairly bleak place at times, practicing gratitude can help you.
Develop your sense of gratitude with these best practices:
- Keep a list of the things you’re grateful for. The next time that you feel angry, frustrated, or a bit depressed, make a list and literally count your blessings. Making a list helps you to stop obsessing over the current situation. Don’t stop at just one list. Consider keeping a journal to record the things and events in your life for which you are grateful. Over time, you will have a tangible record of all of the positive aspects of your life.
- Start the day on a positive note. Set the tone and focus for the rest of your day by taking a few moments each morning to review the positive things in your life. Ask yourself questions to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Questions you might consider asking yourself include: Whose love am I grateful for? What opportunities await me today? What’s something good that is happening right now?
- Be aware of all the goodness that surrounds you. When you focus on only the negative things happening around you it is hard to have a positive attitude. Consciously seek the good in everything, especially in small, simple things such as a child’s laughter or the beauty found in nature.
- Perform random acts of kindness. By unexpectedly helping others you can increase your own gratitude. Be someone else’s reason for thankfulness. What may seem like a small act to you can be a very large act of generosity to someone who is in need. Look for opportunities to help someone else. The other person will be thankful for your generosity and you’ll be grateful for the boost in your self-esteem and mood.
- A picture is worth a thousand words. If you are more of a visual person, recording things that you are grateful for with a photo is a great way to document the things that you’re grateful for. Share your good thoughts around by posting your gratitude pictures on social media.
- Gratitude jar. If you are too busy to make gratitude lists or keep a gratitude journal, try writing short notes about gratitude to yourself and keeping them in a jar. Whenever you need an encouraging word, remove one of the notes and read it to instantly improve your mood! At the end of a year, you can look back over your gratitude notes to be reminded of all of the good things that happened to you.
Everyone has difficult times in their lives, but practicing gratitude on a regular basis gives you the power and inspiration to remain positive even when you are in the midst of overcoming challenges.