Another year means another holiday season, and with Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror, we're still allowed to practice gratitude!
When it comes to expressing or receiving gratitude, there are actually a lot of benefits.
Research shows that gratitude can help people experience more positive emotions, cherish good experiences, improve their health, equip them to handle adversity, and increase their meaningful strong relationships.
Practicing gratitude can help us develop a more optimistic outlook on life, experience a decrease in irritation and impatience, as gratitude actually lights up the brain's reward pathways and hypothalamus.
Gratitude is a powerful tool!
“Your focus determines your reality.” In other words, we should focus on the positives in life.
Of course tough situations may arise that demand attention and solutions- but those are mere distractions, distractions from appreciating what we do have in life.
Expressing gratitude can help switch off that scarcity mindset, the one where we believe that we are always bedding something more. It allows us to enter a more abundant mindset, in which we appreciate what we have.
Here are a few way to cultivate gratitude:
Saying “Thank You”
Whether it’s a barista handing you your coffee or a stranger holding the door open for you, this slight acknowledgment can go a long way.
Consider Your Loved Ones
Take some time to speak with your friends and family members, distant and immediate), and thank them for their contributions to your life.
Focus on the Positive
Try your best to stop ruminating on what’s going wrong in life, and redirect that attention to what is going well in life!
Journaling
Start a gratitude journal and spend some time jotting down all the things you are grateful for.
Express Self-Gratitude
Thanking yourself for your accomplishments, and what you handled well on a certain day can improve your self-image and mood.
With the holidays in full swing, things may get stressful, but taking time to think about what we’re thankful for in that stress can help lower the unpleasant emotions and allow for a deeper connection with ourselves and others.
Eckhert Tolle says “Acknowledging the good you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance”.
Enjoy the holidays y’all!