Attitude of gratitude
Posted on 11/08/2022
Wellbeing, Health
Introducing some simple techniques to welcome gratitude into our daily lives.
Have you ever noticed how amazed children are at the simplest things in life? Children have that awe in the everyday that we, as adults, seem to lose as we grow up.
Life becomes hectic, to do lists become overwhelming, and that keeps us pushing onwards with the day, rather than being present in each moment. Our lives are not always conducive to gratitude.
On top of that, psychologists believe the human brain is literally hardwired for negativity. That is because anticipating danger is what has kept our species from dying out over the years. So please be kind to yourself if you struggle with finding gratitude in the everyday. Life can be overwhelming and tough and there will always be things to worry about, but that doesn’t mean we need to get stuck in the negative. Instead, let’s redirect our energy and efforts to see the small things that bring us joy.
Be open
Research is continually finding that expressing gratitude leads to a healthier, happier and less stressed lifestyle. The fact that you’re reading this blog shows that you’re open to the idea of seeking gratitude and that’s a great place to start.
Practicing mindfulness is a wonderful way to open our eyes. When we practice mindfulness, we essentially take time to be present and live in the moment. Engaging our senses can help bring us back to the present and remind us of the bigger picture.
Look how far you’ve already come
Gratitude is looking for the positive without avoiding the negative. We know that working on our gratitude helps to improve our outlook on life and our general optimism, but that doesn’t mean we should disregard the setbacks. Instead, we must embrace them as part of the overall journey. Remembering the difficult times that you’ve already overcome can help us gain perspective for where we are now.
Even in tough times we can seek gratitude from the simple pleasures. The first sip of morning coffee or a good chat with friend. Make an effort to savour the often-overlooked small wonders in your everyday, the more you look the easier they are to find.
Write it down
Keeping a gratitude journal is a tool to track the good things in life. Research has shown that writing down what you’re thankful for can lead to a multitude of benefits. The practice of writing our gratitudes can help to reinforce positive thoughts and give a new perspective on your daily lives. Importantly, journaling can highlight what you truly appreciate in your life and it can help you find out and focus on what really matters to you.
There is no wrong way to keep a gratitude journal. Simply write down the things you are grateful for on a daily basis in a method that suits. From the simple to extraordinary, anything can make the list. The goal of the exercise is to remember a special moment, person or thing in your life: then enjoy the good emotions that come with it.
Move your body
Exercise causes our body to release serotonin (the feel-good chemical). Finding time in your schedule to regularly move your body will likely make it much easier to look on the bright side. Physical exercise is proven to clear your mind and reduce stress, key components for setting yourself up for gratitude.
Find a movement style that suits you: whether it’s walking, swimming, yoga, running, rock climbing; There is no one size fits all. If you find a style of exercise that you enjoy and it fits around your lifestyle, you’ll find it much easier to keep your practice up.
Put simply, more gratitude = a happier, healthier life.
Let us all find the time to pause and be happy with all we have. To ponder what we are grateful for instead of focusing on the negative, which can leave us feeling down or wanting more. There are many ways to enhance your outlook and leave you feeling good about your life by making gratitude a daily practice.
