Gratitude – How to Practice and Boost Your Mental Health
What better time to talk about Gratitude than November, which is National Gratitude Month. Gratitude is the feeling of thankfulness or happiness as a result of something that you have or have received. While many people may be able to say they are grateful for what they have; fewer can say that they actually practice it on a daily basis.
Why should gratitude be practiced?
Practicing being grateful can be life changing for your mental health. It can reduce stress and depression, boost your mood, deepen your relationships, lead to a more peaceful and calm mind, and help your overall health. It is a awesome way to show yourself some self love.
Studies have actually found that, “a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness, and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.”
How to practice gratitude?
Practicing being grateful doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. The more you practice, the easier it will come to you. If at first it seems challenging, start with a small goal of taking time to be grateful at least once a week.
Every Monday I share three of my own from the week on social media. This can be a great opportunity and reminder to take time to do the same for yourself. Feel free to share them with me!
Here are some other ways you can practice gratitude
- Start Writing A Journal – write down one interaction or item or experience you are feeling grateful for. You can either simply write the thing you’re grateful for, or take it further and describe it in detail and explain what about it makes you so grateful.
- Verbally Say Them – take a moment to pause and reflect and then verbal say out loud what your gratitudes are
- Share Them – share a picture or post about your gratitude on social media. Or maybe take a few minutes to share with your family or partner at the dinner table.
Once you get the hang of coming up with one weekly, bump it up to daily or even multiple times a day! Dedicating time to your gratefulness is a great way to allow you brain and body to pause and take some time to rest, reflect, and reset. It is a great practice to try particularly when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Get started on your gratitude and feel free to share them with me in the comments, social media, or in a message. I hope you all share on Monday with me! In the meantime, remember that I love you and you should love you too!
I am grateful for your dedication to this blog and how much it helps us/me grow. There is always a new technique to practice or a new point of view to see things from, and you break it down in to manageable steps. Thank you.