5 Ways To Help You Feel More Gratitude In Your Everyday Life
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow.” (Melody Beattie)
Why should you practice gratitude?
Throughout all my years as a Holistic Therapist and my training, I have always been taught by every teacher and mentor about gratitude and why to practice gratitude.
When we focus on gratitude, our whole world changes for the better. We begin to see things very differently, we see the beauty and perfection in everyone and everything around us, and we start to feel more connected to everyone and everything. Is this not a good enough reason to practice gratitude?
Gratitude makes us feel alive and happier, research shows that it can help with a good night’s sleep and a strong immune system. It can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Gratitude makes us better people.
Feeling grateful is an essential part of a happy life and can help you to cultivate meaningful connections with those around you. With these easy steps, you can make sure that feeling grateful stays at the forefront of your life.
How can you can bring gratitude into your everyday life in 5 easy steps
1. Keep a gratitude journal
Journaling is a simple but powerful way to bring gratitude into your life. It is a great opportunity to reflect on things that you are grateful for, and it helps you remember the special moments of your life.
Focus on the little things that make life meaningful. Writing down can help you feel more connected to the things in your life that you are grateful for.
2. Make time for daily reflection
How many of us just sit and appreciate all that you have?
I make sure this is part of my gratitude practice every day, even when my day has been challenging just taking that time to appreciate all that you do have can help motivate you to make positive changes in your life.
One way to do this is to spend a few minutes each day and just be mindful of your surroundings and reflect on the things that you appreciate, identify those people, events, and things that make your life special and express gratitude. Everyone has a few minutes in their busy lives.
3. Practice random acts of kindness
Practicing random acts of kindness can be a great way to show others your gratitude and help you feel more connected to the world around you. It’s a simple gesture to compliment someone, open the door for someone, or pick up something someone has dropped in the street.
These small acts of kindness can make a big impact on someone’s day and spread a wave of positive vibes throughout the entire community. Being kind to others can be uplifting for yourself, too — it can make you feel more connected to the world, inspired to keep up the good work, and more compassionate and understanding towards other people’s struggles.
4. Spend time with loved ones
Spending time with those you love is a great way to practice gratitude in your everyday life. Your loved ones provide endless support, understanding, and kindness that can help to nourish your soul. Take the time to show your gratitude to the ones you love and appreciate them.
Let them know how much you value their presence in your life, and how you’re grateful for the love and support they have given you throughout the years. Even a simple hug or five-minute phone call can make a world of difference in someone's day.
5. Appreciate the little things
Gratitude doesn’t always have to come in big, grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s just as meaningful to show appreciation for the little things that bring us joy and comfort in our everyday life.
Take the time to appreciate the little things. Appreciate the warm shower that you get to take in the morning. Appreciate the cup of coffee that you drink before starting your day. Appreciate the screen of your phone that lights up each time you get a text message from a friend. Appreciate the sun shining through the window while you work.
The bottom line is whether or not these steps will be easy for you to bring into your life, just paying attention to life’s positives can train you to see more and more of them, which will help you learn to be more grateful. So why not cultivate an attitude of gratitude and boost that overall happiness?