Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, and a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie
Practicing gratitude offers myriad benefits. It can improve mental and physical health, bring more joy and happiness, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and calm the nervous system. What’s not to love about that? Learn more about the science behind gratitude and it’s benefits.
There are as many ways to practice gratitude as there are health benefits. Here’s what works for me.
Practicing gratitude every day (or at least whenever I remember) has made my life better. It helps me feel more internally calm and reflective, making it easier to recognize the good in most things. This practice keeps me more present, attentive to my surroundings, and appreciative of the little things.
This process is simple and adaptable. Each day, I list two things I am grateful for. The only rule is that each item can only be listed once. So, while I am grateful for my children every day, I only list them once.
While not required, I also like to write down what I’m grateful for. I keep a list on my phone. When I open it up and scroll to the bottom to add new daily entries, I get a quick visual cue of all the things I have to be grateful for. Seeing so many items listed feels a bit like a warm hug for my brain.
This whole process takes one, maybe two minutes a day. Consider giving it a try and encouraging family members to do the same. It’s not unusual in my household for me to ask, “What are two things you are grateful for today?”
If jotting down items on a phone isn’t for you, here are some different ideas you could try. Grab a new notebook and use it as a daily gratefulness journal. Write what you are grateful for on slips of paper and put them into a designated jar. You could even write two thank-you-cards each day.
There’s no downside to practicing gratitude. Give it a try, find something that works for you, and notice the quality-of-life improvements you get out of it. What are you grateful for today?
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