Gratitude is one of the cornerstones of living a happy and mindful life. It is used as a tool to achieve peace and wellbeing. When it is difficult times, it’s easy to feel drained. Negative thoughts can creep in, which makes it difficult to see the positive ones. However, a simple practice of gratitude can help you to alleviate those feelings. This article takes you through a journey of being grateful and why it is essential to be so.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is a state of mind. It is a small act of acknowledging what you already have and to whom you are grateful. It is acknowledging good things in your life that often come from external sources. It is an offering of thanks to whatever you choose to believe that exists.
The offering can be to a thing or a person that has come into your life. You are offering thanks to God or any higher power which you believe watches over you.
Gratitude feeling is a relationship strengthening emotion. It reminds you that you are constantly supported and loved by others. When you show gratitude for those people, you are firm in their support. It is an emotion as you feel gratitude, and you can express it.
Why is it important?
Gratitude is correlated with happiness and joy. Just remember your body and mind When You thank someone. You might feel the vibes in your heart and the feelings of excitement in your belly. Also, think of a situation where someone else would thank you for your help. It brings you pure joy.
Gratitude helps you to appreciate all the positive elements in your life and the people in it. You can feel positive in times of uncertainty. Most of you might be familiar with the feeling of dissatisfaction. You may think that your life is incomplete and lack certain things. You may also compare yourself with the lives of others. The practice of gratitude can help you to alleviate these feelings.
Studies have shown that gratitude can bring psychological, emotional, and physical benefits for you.
How to cultivate gratitude?
The importance of gratitude is evident. It is known that the practice of being grateful is beneficial for everyone.
How about tapping and practicing those?
Here we present you some of the most common ways to be grateful.
Gratitude journal:
The most common and effective way to practice gratitude is through a journal. It is as simple as writing and recording in a diary. All you have to do if we count the day’s events and record the things or people you are grateful for.
You don’t need to write this every day. A study suggests that three times per week may also be sufficient. The benefits of a gratitude journal are immense. When you write your gratitude journal, you should at least write five things you are grateful for.
It can be small paragraphs or a simple list of bullet points that highlight the activities of that particular day.
Gratitude exercises:
Create a visual board that explains all the things that you are grateful for. Once done, you can place it in a prominent place where every day you can see that and be thankful.
Another essential visual method is to write short notes of the names of people you are grateful for. Keep those notes in a jar or a container. This will give you a visual manifestation of the things that you are thankful for. You can also read this as a reminder of your kindness.
Meditate every day, and while meditating, you can be grateful for those who have helped you. You can also thank, for all the things which you have. It allows you to improve emotional regulation and self-motivation. It helps you to focus on the various elements of your life which you are thankful for.
When to practice gratitude?
Most of you might struggle to identify things that are to be thankful for. Here we have highlighted some gratitude that helps you to express gratefulness in different ways.
Enjoy small things in life:
Think about everyday things that you enjoy. Find simple pleasure in these aspects. It may be a small cup of coffee e listening to your favorite song or just simply laying down on your couch. Any activity that brings you pleasure and happiness can be celebrated.
Memories:
You can also focus on the positive moments from the past. Try to remember the memorable days, happy times, and events that you have felt content with and which you think are grateful for.
People in your life:
Each of you may come across many people who will play an important role in your life. They can be your friends, family and even your colleagues. Think about their support during difficult times. And also think about those who are there with you during the good times as well.
Nature:
Nature gives us a lot. You should also be thankful for nature as it provides you the sun on your face, the smell when it rains, the beauty of a flower when it blooms
Being kind:
When someone is kind to you and helps you, being grateful for them enhances your favorable feelings. Similarly, when you carry out a kind act, you can also celebrate the mutually shared experience.
Acknowledge your accomplishments:
You would have mastered certain skills and demonstrated your abilities. Highlighting these achievements can help to boost your Self Esteem. Should be grateful for all the things and the people who supported to accomplish these.
Thus we know the power of gratitude. Studies suggest that being grateful can bring many benefits to our mental and physical health. It also shows that happiness and gratitude are closely linked. You can easily practice being grateful at home through a gratitude journal or any other method. You have to celebrate the positive elements of life.
Try practicing gratitude whenever you have free time. You may be surprised by the benefits that it brings you.
