Cultivating gratitude is one of the simpler routes to a greater sense of emotional well-being, higher overall life satisfaction, and a greater sense of happiness. Understanding that, sometimes that is easier said than done, especially at this time of year, here are three simple tips to help everyone find a little gratitude in our lives.
Cultivating gratitude can help increase positivity, finding yourself spending less time on negative or stressful events in your life and to have you feeling a greater sense of appreciation for the people and things you do have.
People with a greater level of gratitude tend to have stronger relationships in that they appreciate their loved ones more, and their loved ones, feeling that appreciation, tend to do more to earn it. And because those who are happier, sleep better, and enjoy healthy relationships tend to be healthier, grateful people tend to be healthier people.
Keys:
When you notice yourself focusing on the negative, try to think of 4-5 positive things related to the negative event or stressor. The more you remind yourself of the positives, the more easily a shift towards gratitude can occur.
Be careful with comparisons, especially the wrong comparisons. Look for events and people in your life that inspire you, leading you down the road of gratitude.
· Social media can sometimes lead us down a negative path, instead of opening up your phone or computer, head outside for a walk to get some fresh air and time to appreciate nature and all of it’s beauty.
One of the best ways to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Not only are you combining the benefits of journaling with the active adoption of a more positive mindset, but you are also left with a nice catalog of happy memories and a long list of things in your life for which you are grateful. (This can be wonderful to read during times when it’s more difficult to remember what these things are.) However, sometime even the thought of sitting down and thinking of positive things can be overwhelming – maybe start small and post “post it notes with positive thoughts or things you are grateful for” in key places where you will see them as simple reminders.
For additional help or someone to talk to:
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