Gratitude is an act of showing thankfulness. And gratitude is also our topic for the month of November. We are super excited to be sharing articles related to gratitude, especially during this time of the year. Practicing gratitude is the key to many incredible benefits. Some of these benefits include mood enhancement and a boost in creativity. That being said, it’s good to know that there are many ways to practice gratitude every day! Especially when it’s something we could do at anytime.
Did you know that finding ways to practice gratitude can actually increase personal happiness? But you don’t have to be thankful only when good things happen. It’s in the midst of depression, sadness, or a mere bad day at work, that gratitude seems to do its magic. In a 2015 psychotherapy research, participants who practiced gratitude writing for a period of time were significantly better in their mental health condition than those who did not.
The power that lies in the act of being thankful goes far beyond what we can imagine. As we’ve said before, being happy increases productivity and creativity. And one of the simplest ways to achieve this is by practicing gratitude. But, being thankful means that we have to be mindful and grounded. In other words, we must be present in the ‘now‘.
Practicing gratitude will reset our mind, let us relax, and will give us the ability to think outside the box. Hence the reason why gratitude increases creativity. Being thankful also boosts happiness! But without a doubt, to reap all the benefits of being thankful, we have to practice it year-round. Not just during the Holidays, okay? Here are some ways to help you practice the art of being thankful any time of the year!
Practicing gratitude will reset our mind, let us relax, and will give us the ability to think outside the box. #gratitude #bethankful Click To TweetWays to Practice Gratitude & Boost Creativity
- Meditate. There are many positive effects of gratitude meditation, including an increase in self-motivation.
- Refrain from negative energy. Negativity definitely takes a toll on us. The energy we feed ourselves impacts us in huge ways. Therefore, positive energy is crucial when practicing gratitude!
- Keep a gratitude journal. I’ve personally been doing this for years and it’s something that helps me remain centered on all of the good things. Besides, gratitude journaling has some great benefits in our overall mental health.
- Appreciate nature. Take a walk, smell the flowers, and get some fresh air. Nature boosts our enthusiasm and is linked to our well-being. Mother Nature does it best!
- Be a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to stay in sync with gratitude. Check your local listings for any programs that are currently seeking volunteers, and that might interest you.
More Ways to Practice Being Thankful
- Smile often. When we smile, our brain releases endorphins. And guess what? Endorphins make us happy, and act as a natural pain-killer! Furthermore, when we feel happy we’re usually more susceptible to practicing gratitude. #win 😀
- Start a gratitude jar. You’ve surely heard of these fantastic little jars! Just write down one thing you’re grateful for each day, and drop it in your gratitude jar. Tip: remember to be thankful for the little things🙂. Download our FREE Gratitude Jar Printable Slip to get started!
- Embrace challenges. Even when it seems hard, focus on the little things which make you smile.
- Share gratitude on your social media. Many times, things we see on social media make us feel down or depressed. Turn it around and start sharing gratitude. Positivity is contagious. Be the difference, and feel the difference.
- Write Thank You notes. Tell your family and friends how thankful you are to have them in your life. This is an immediate happiness booster and one of the great ways to practice gratitude. You can pair the thank you notes with a cute jar or with a meaningful gift.
- Pay it forward. When you’re constantly in sync with gratitude, the best thing you can do is share that great feeling with someone else! Share a smile or pay for the coffee of the person behind you at the coffee shop. A little act of kindness goes a long way!
What is your favorite way of practicing gratitude? Share in the comments!
Before you go: Check out These Great Tips for Developing Gratitude in Children
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