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.
Here are some tips for cultivating more gratitude 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 loved ones 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.