What is the practice of Gratitude anyway?  It is the practice of gratitude, to be mindful, and appreciative of everything good in your life, even the little things.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”- Melody Beattie

Gratitude often helps a person connect to something larger than oneself like community, nature, or a higher power. Gratitude changes your interaction with the world and promotes thoughts and behaviors that support your best life.  The practice of gratitude has been shown to improve mental and physical health and resiliency.

 

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness-it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude”– Brene Brown

 

The practice of mindfulness and gratitude effectively increases happiness and the overall outlook on life.  Here are a few ways to implement the practice of gratitude that will surely influence your life in a positive way.

  • Greet every day with a positive attitude. People will be drawn to you and you will be easy for people to like.  Acting with grace inspires others to seek your friendship and deepen relationships.
  • Practicing gratitude can have a positive effect on your sleep. Being thankful makes sleeping longer and deeper easier, so that when you awaken, you feel rested.
  • Practicing gratitude improves your mental well-being, lowering depressive episodes and decreasing any suicidal ideations.  Gratitude leaves few opportunities for toxic emotions like resentment and envy.
  • It is proven that having an attitude of gratitude will increase your physical health.  Research has linked gratitude to lower blood pressure, improved immunity, and fewer chronic aches and pains.
  • With an attitude of gratitude, you are more likely to reach your goals.  It’s proven that gratitude enhances your feelings of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy, allowing you to fully focus on your goals.
  • People tend to gravitate and be influenced by those that express gratitude, making them natural leaders.
  • When gratitude is the focus, there is a greater sense of resiliency, resulting in mental fortitude and increased ability to manage stress, and you feel less stress in general.
  • Gratitude decreases the overall feelings of stress in general
  • With the practice of gratitude comes higher self-esteem and less social stress.

Cultivating your attitude of gratitude is a process. Here are several things you can do to develop and strengthen your attitude of gratitude.

“Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life.  Be grateful for what you already have, and you will attract more good things”- The Secret

  • Express your appreciation and nurture your relationships through either verbal or written “thank you.”  Do not forget to appreciate and thank yourself while you are busy thanking others.
  • Gratitude can be given and felt through your thoughts. We are all just energy you see, and we are affected by the positive energy of gratitude.  Send those positive thoughts out to the world on a regular basis and watch the ripple effects they cause around you.
  • Be mindful of what you are grateful for and create daily entries in a gratitude journal.
  • A mindful meditation practice, focusing on nature, your higher power, and your inner wellbeing, helps to ground you with a sense of inner peace.

 

Start reaping the benefits of your gratitude practice by adjusting your focus on all the positivity that surrounds you that makes your life unique and special.