Intentionally focusing on our blessings in life can have emotional and interpersonal benefits. When we take the space and time to be grateful, even for the smallest things in life, it positively impacts us.
People who practice gratitude in their daily lives tend to be more optimistic, have a higher sense of purpose, and feel more positive about the world around them. Being grateful can also impact our health in numerous ways. Practicing gratitude can lead to better relaxation and sleep. Those in a grateful mindset often feel less stressed and more able to manage tasks at hand.
“It doesn’t have to be anything big. It’s about seeing things through the lens of what is going well in our lives,” says Mindy Meiering, MSW, a licensed therapist and pet loss and grief expert who is the author of The Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck. As Meiering notes, there is always something to be grateful for. It might be the fact that you had a good night’s sleep, or the coffee maker works, and you can enjoy a fresh cup of joe.
“Inclining our minds toward what IS working and what IS going well is the secret to embracing gratitude. If you build that gratitude muscle when things are going well, when challenges come, it helps us build our emotional resilience,” says Meiering.
How can you practice gratitude on a daily basis?
Start a gratitude journal or keep a gratitude list on your phone. This can be as simple as noting one thing you are grateful for in the day. Taking a moment to be aware of what we’re grateful for can help us feel better about our lives, even prompting us to be more active, practice better self-care, and stay more optimistic about the world. Focusing on one’s blessings in life plays a vital role in enhancing personal well-being. Begin by focusing on one person in your day who has done something positive for you or for someone else. Be mindful of that effort. Send that person positivity.
Meiering recommends utilizing the simple, 5-finger method to boost personal gratitude. Count five things you are grateful for on one hand. This is a nourishing practice to put into your schedule when you settle down to a meal, either by yourself or with others. Then, take a deep breath to relax, and enjoy your meal.
Piggyback gratitude with a daily ritual you have in your day. For example, you may take your dog (and yourself) on a walk in the morning. As you go out the door, say a word of gratitude to yourself for making this effort and taking care of your pet and yourself.
コメント