How To Have A Gratitude Practice
With the holidays upon us, it can be easy to be distracted by all the sales and shiny new things we would like to have in our lives. No shame! Who doesn’t like new toys and getting a bomb deal? I definitely do! However, we all know that acquiring these temporary material possessions don’t lead to permanent happiness. But you know what could help your overall happiness? Having a gratitude practice.
According to an article in Psychology Today, “ [… gratitude] fosters both physical and psychological health, even among those already struggling with mental health problems. Studies show that practicing gratitude curbs the use of words expressing negative emotions and shifts inner attention away from such negative emotions as resentment and envy, minimizing the possibility of ruminating, which is a hallmark of depression.”
With a world as tumultuous and materialistic as ours, trying to cultivate gratitude in daily life can be an uphill battle. However, cultivating gratitude in daily life can be easy! Here are my favorite ways to cultivate gratitude in everyday life.
Write down 3 things you’re grateful for as soon as you wake up.
When I first started noticing I was struggling with depression, this was a super helpful tip from my mom, and it really did help. It can be as simple as being grateful for things like a beautiful sunrise, waking up to another day, or having time to enjoy my morning matcha lattes.
Reach out to a loved one.
There’s always someone in your life that you miss or that you have been meaning to check up on. Why not send them a sweet message? I’ve gotten texts from loved ones letting me know they were simply thinking about me, and it was an instant reminder that I had people who care about me and made me feel so loved. Go ahead and make someone’s day! I promise they will appreciate it.
See your challenges as opportunities for growth.
Admittedly this one is SO much easier said than done. When we look at our challenges as opportunities for growth, we end up benefiting from hardships in the form of gaining more strength in our lives. Instead of saying “Why did x happen to me?”, we can try reframing it as “X wasn’t meant to be and even though I’m frustrated, I know that I’m on the path that is meant for me and this will only make me stronger.” Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda says “There is no one as strong as a person whose heart is always filled with gratitude.”
Focus on what you do have and not what you don’t have.
This concept can be difficult as well, especially when it comes to wanting big life changes such as a new job, a relationship, starting your own business, expanding your family, etc. If you struggle with patience (like me!), it can be hard to not look ahead and think “my life will be perfect when I have x.” But that simply isn’t true! Where you are in life now is a manifestation of everything you’ve worked and wished for in the past, so it’s important to look around you and be thankful for the people and things you have now.
Give back to your community.
This can be done in so many ways! Donate your time, skills, or even money (if you’re able) to individuals or causes you really care about. Or maybe it’s as simple as holding the door open for someone, letting someone go in front of you while driving, or telling someone you like their outfit! Anything that would help make someone’s day is a way of giving back to our community, simply by demonstrating our own respect for humanity in daily life.
Hope these tips are a good start to your new daily gratitude practice! Let me know what other gratitude tips you love!
