Gratitude is the feeling of appreciating something that is meaningful or valuable to us – whether it’s a material gift or an employee’s hard work.
According to Positive Psychology, expressing and feeling gratitude positively influences your mental and physical wellbeing.
Practicing gratitude daily can help you shift your mindset from focusing on the negatives to seeing the positives more clearly. In turn, this shift helps you feel happier, more resilient, creative, and productive.
Imagine how much you could get done at work if you and your colleagues felt that way daily.
Many of us are used to expressing gratitude to our loved ones, but we could all put a bit more effort into expressing it at work too.
One study found that 60% of American workers never express gratitude at work or do so maybe once a year.
Here are some tips for cultivating more gratitude at work but also in life:
Keep a gratitude journal: One study showed that after ten weeks of writing what they were grateful for, participants were more optimistic, exercised more, and felt better about their lives than those who wrote about their frustrations.
Let coworkers know what you appreciate about them: Although showing gratitude can feel like a vulnerable feat, this openness and willingness to acknowledge someone else’s efforts leads to stronger relationships.
Send thank you cards: If someone has sent you a gift or done something particularly nice for you, a hand-written thank you note can go a long way in making someone feel appreciated.
When feeling stressed, pause, take a breath, and express something you’re grateful for. This shift in perspective gives your brain a welcomed break.
Don’t forget about the boss! Being a manager is often a thankless job; however, if yours has done something helpful for you, it’s a great idea to thank them or show appreciation for their guidance.
Learn more about how gratitude can boost employee productivity in this week's Wellness At Work Newsletter.
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VitaliTeam Workplace Wellness provides solutions at the intersection of organizational health and individual wellbeing.
Learn more at www.dradeolamead.com/vitaliteam