While it’s easy to have a sense of gratitude on holidays, like Thanksgiving, or when things are going your way, being grateful shouldn’t only happen on certain days or during ideal conditions. Practicing gratitude should be something we do regularly, as it comes with health and wellness benefits that can boost your happiness all year long.
One of the biggest benefits to being grateful is that it can reduce stress and improve mood. Research also shows that gratitude practices can decrease depression and increase self-esteem. But like any skill, it takes practice to get better at being grateful.
To be happier and less stressed, try these easy daily gratitude practices:
- Fill a gratitude photo album on your phone - Make an effort to add at least one image of something that makes you feel grateful everyday. The images can be screenshots of text conversations, events on your calendar or photos and building the album should bring you joy. Once you get started, try to replace some of the time you spend scrolling through social media with time spent in your gratitude album, which is bound to be better for your mental health.
- Take breath to gratefully restore your patience - Slow down and focus on your breathing a few times a day. Research shows being in a state of gratitude can help with impatience, so as you breathe deeply, concentrate on how thankful you are for being able to take each breath.
- Share your attitude of gratitude with others - Tell someone in your life that you’re grateful for them every day. Sharing that with another person in person, in a text or in a letter can boost happiness for both of you.
- End your day thankfully for a good night’s sleep - When you get ready for bed, reflect on three things that make you grateful and write them down where you’ll see them the next morning. Try not to focus on material things, but on health, time spent with loved ones, a good meal or a nice walk. And the best part? Research shows a possible link between gratitude and improved sleep.
Source: CNN
Photo: Getty Images