the importance of gratitude
- lxrynwxtring
- Nov 18, 2022
- 3 min read
11/18/22
hello cherubs! the thankful season is among us...which means we must count our blessings.
what is gratitude?
by definition, gratitude is "the quality of being thankful." seems simple enough right? but what does it mean to have gratitude through every day life? not only is gratitude associated with positive and welcoming mental and physical health benefits, but it also allows us to respond with feelings of kindness, warmth, and other forms of generosity. *
according to Kristin Francis, MD at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, "expressing gratitude can positively change your brain."
research suggests that gratitude can make you happier, help heal relationships, and can even improve depression and reduce suicidal thoughts.
Francis also tell us that gratitude helps "boost dopamine and serotonin...giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being."
gratitude can encompass different things for each individual human on earth. to some, gratitude can look like being thankful for food to eat, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep each night. but to others, gratitude can look like getting a raise at work, the ability to have children, or buying your first home.
all gratitude is valid. just because someone is thankful for something you might take for granted doesn't mean it's minuscule. to them, it could be a bigger blessing than you could understand.
Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and mental strength coach, brings up some very important aspects of gratitude.
science has found that gratitude can:
increase resilience
bolster self-esteem
increase happiness
improve sleep
enrich your social life
ways to practice gratitude in this crazy thing called life:
start by observing: take note of when you say 'thank you.' is it because you should? are you actually thankful? or is it just because it's required or an after thought?
pick one interaction a day: when you have the feeling to say 'thank you' stop and assess how you're thinking. can you pinpoint what you're thankful for? say thank you for whatever is needing it.
affirm the good things you've received.
acknowledge the role others play in your life and show them
10 ways to practice gratitude daily:
keep a gratitude journal: this will allow you to take a small amount of time each day to realize what you have to be thankful for. you might not realize at first, but this will help become more thankful and able to see the small things in life.
remember the bad: in order to be thankful for the good, we must understand that there is bad that comes with it.
ask yourself three questions: "what have I received from __?" "what have I given to ___?" "what troubles or difficulties have I caused?" evaluate your relationships and asses whether you need to thank someone for something they have done for you.
share your gratitude with others: research has found that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships. when you show others that you have things to be thankful for, they will in turn realize that they have things to be thankful for as well.
come to your senses: realize how much your body helps you to be able to function. thank your body for what it does and how it keeps you alive.
make a vow to practice gratitude: when we make an effort to do something, it becomes a habit. when we practice gratitude habitually, it comes to us naturally.
watch your language: those who are thankful show their gratitude through gifts, blessings, and abundance through specific linguistic attitudes. not only does this help you show others, but it allows you to see what others have done for you.
use visual reminders: make yourself post-it notes of what you are thankful for and place them where you will see them often. visualization is a key for many people to help them memorize and put things into long term memory.
go through the motions: grateful emotions are smiling, saying thank you, and writing letters of gratitude. when you allow yourself to feel these grateful emotions, you will allow the gratefulness to come more naturally.
think outside the box: you might not have much to be thankful about, so you may have to get creative. find new situations that will help you realize that you are thankful for whatever it is you have.
now that I have given you the resources and ideas to help you realize what you're grateful for, act on it!
write down 5 things that you are thankful for; this can be simple or extravagant. it's up to you! write them down and write down why you are thankful for them.
this would be a great activity to do at your family's Thanksgiving Dinner!
*sources used for this post:
I hope that you all have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Holiday!
remember, you deserve to be here.
xx Loryn
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