Why Practice Gratitude?
Gratitude practice has been linked to some of the following outcomes.
- Happiness
- Improved Relationships
- Improved Sense of Well-being
- Improved General Health
- Gratitude is a Strength
A study on writing letters of gratitude reported improved feelings of happiness, life satisfaction and decreases feelings of depression. Better still when participants shared the letter with the subject of the letter.
How to Practice Gratitude
- Simply Pay Attention
Stop and notice what you might be grateful for. The tendency is to go through life on automatic pilot. Wake up. Get out of bed. Get ready and go about the business of living.
- Gratitude Recounting. This can be private or shared publicly with others.
Listing people, situations, things you are grateful for. Make a habit of recounting if not daily then a few times per week.
- Gratitude Reflection
Spend 3-5 minutes identifying and thinking about benefits or people for whom you are grateful. You do not need to write. Make reflection a practice.
- Gratitude Expressions
Letting the other person, people know results in even more positive results. Ways to practice expressing gratitude includes gratitude visits (tell them in person), writing a gratitude letter, write an email, send a gratitude text, make a gratitude phone call.
Make gratitude expressions a practice. It works great for both the giver and the recipient.
Now What Are You Going to Do?
- Go on and practice gratitude your way. One size does not fit all.
- Stop the electronics for a few moments and let the person around you know you are grateful for their presence in your life.
- Stop and watch nature. Notice the air you breathe, silence, clouds, trees and changing seasons.
- Count your blessings, make list, jot down a note, write in a journal or use the note/memo app on your phone.
- Call your mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, sibling, friend and let them know you appreciate them.
- Write a thank you note.
- Share goodness not bitterness.
My Short Gratitude List
- God for life.
- Life to live and enjoy.
- Family to enjoy life with.
- Friends to make family and life even better.
- Work to contribute to life.
- Fabrics to explore life’s possibilities.
- Soil to give growth and pleasure to life.
Why wait? Start a practice now?
Check out some research here https://bit.ly/2IwUq7Land here https://bit.ly/2Ixb5rZ
You might check out this fun research on gratitude and happiness. It might make you smile and maybe even cry https://bit.ly/2NpfuMq
Do share your tips and how-t0s!
Jumoke Omojola is a Mental Health Therapist in Omaha, Nebraska where she assists adults create healthier, happier lives and nurturing relationships. She serves Bellevue, Ralston, LaVista and other surrounding Omaha and Council Bluffs areas.