Gratitude is a mindset that, when practiced, can quickly shift your perspective and create a sense of abundance. In other words, when you focus on what’s good in your life, the good magnifies. The best part is that the more you feel grateful, the more you’ll find yourself driven towards expressing that gratitude and paying it forward with kindness. Needless to say, we’re big fans of this whole ‘gratitude inspiring kindness’ cycle. So let’s chat about how to make it a daily practice!
How to Practice Gratitude
According to Google Dictionary, gratitude is defined as ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness’. The way we see it, this means that practicing gratitude has two parts. The first step is to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in your life. The second is to express your gratitude by doing good. But how exactly can you make these concepts habitual in your day-to-day life?
Appreciating the Good
Appreciating the good is all about living mindfully and taking the time to notice everything you have to be thankful for. A great way to do this is by staying in the present moment and paying attention to the things that make you smile and feel happy and cared for each day. Some great practices to get you focused on the good include:
- Keeping a daily gratitude journal
- Starting a gratitude group text chain with your friends and loved ones
- Committing to a daily mindfulness practice in which you allow yourself space to slow down, focus on gratitude, and observe what it feels like to be grateful
- Leave yourself notes and visual cues to remind yourself of all the good in your life
- Pay attention to your thoughts and practice redirecting them when your mind wanders
Expressing Gratitude
Now that your heart is overflowing with gratitude for your wonderful life, it’s time to spread the love! The expression of gratitude can come in so many different shapes and sizes. It can be simple or extravagant; specific or random. The only real constant is that it involves kindness. Here are a few fun ideas to get you started:
- Say thank you
- Send a thank you card
- Leave a good tip
- Smile back
- Give back
- Leave a great review
- Donate your time
- Donate your money if you can afford to
- Practice compassion
- Be a good family member/friend
- Send someone flowers
- Reach out to your loved ones and offer support
- Call someone and let them know you appreciate them
- Send someone flowers just because
- Do your part to leave the world just a little bit better than you found it
Practicing gratitude is a gift to yourself and the world at large. And while it may sound cliche, taking the time each day to appreciate the good and express your gratitude can truly change your life. Research even shows that people who practice gratitude report decreased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as increased positivity and general wellbeing! But don’t take it from us… try it out yourself! You can even share your gratitude journey with us on Instagram or Facebook! Until next time, stay grateful friends; and as always, stay kind!
