There are hundreds of reasons to practice gratitude everyday. Even before I jump into the sea of benefits, I want you to understand the functioning behind it.

Practicing Gratitude

Ever wondered why one person responds to a situation in a certain way while the other does exactly the opposite? While there are a couple of factors explaining this behavior, the volatility of emotions is one of the major contributors.

Human beings often allow emotions to be the driver of their being. How does it happen that when cheerful, you are able to take even the toughest challenges so well and when down with emotions, a slight offbeat of events can make you go haywire? There is nothing right or wrong about it as after all we are emotional beings. Some emotions can be afflictive while others can be healing. Some can be imaginary while others can be realistic.

However, what is important here is to understand the importance of you being in control of your emotions. Gratitude is one of the most significant leaps in this direction.

Gratitude is the practice that lets you reflect on every good thing going unacknowledged in your life. This puts you in a place where you are able to generate more positive emotions and reap their consequential results.

There are so many direct impacts on your life that you can start to observe right from the day gratitude is made part of it. Little but important changes like good mood, good sleep, better concentration to bigger and long-term changes like healthy relationships, emotional stability, mindfulness etc. can be observed. There is so much that you can gain from it.

Benefits of Practicing Gratitude

Happier and Optimistic personality

We all want to be this kind of person, right? Gratitude gives you the power to uplift your feelings about yourself which makes you a happier and optimistic person.

Reduced anxiety and stress

Gratitude shifts your mind from negative to positive thoughts. This very practice empowers you to focus on good things happening around you instead of what didn’t happen as per your expectations. There is a beautiful quote by Mahatma Gandhi “I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.”

Healthier Relationships

Someone said it beautifully, “Appreciate them for what they can do for you instead of criticizing them for what they cannot”. Being thankful in relationships is not just good manners, but also strengthens the bond. Be more grateful for the little or large, good things that your family, friends, colleagues do for you.

Mindfulness

Gratitude empowers you to be more observant of your surroundings. In a natural chronology, you tend to first acknowledge the things around you before you are grateful for them. The miracle is, the more mindful you become, more gratitude you develop within yourself. Mindfulness makes you more attentive towards your thoughts and unblocks the ones which have kept you from appreciating good things.

Increased self esteem

One of the wonderful results of gratitude is reduction in feelings of being deprived or discontent in life. When you start to acknowledge and reflect on the positive, it makes you aware of the importance of your being. Your focus will take an acute turn from being comparative to being more appreciative of yourself.

Improved health

Good sleep, healthy heart, and reduced levels of anxiety, stress, envy or frustration etc. are some of the numerous physical and mental health benefits that come with gratitude. According to 2004 research review and 2019 research review, being grateful in life can have a direct positive impact on a person’s well being.

Motivated routine

It has been observed that people who are grateful, are more motivated towards routine activities like exercise, work, house chores etc. Gratitude is also directly proportional to productivity. People who foster grateful attitude in their life, are more likely to have more energy and can focus better on their tasks.

Empathy

Gratitude cuts down on feelings of envy, jealousy, and competition. It helps you to relate yourself with others and their perspective. In such a case, people are more likely to give back towards the society. This practice drives them away from the nature of always seeking to take and makes them more compassionate about others and their needs.

How To Practice Gratitude Everyday?

1. Gratitude Journaling:

Daily Entries: Every day, write down three things you are grateful for. These can be small, like enjoying a warm cup of coffee, or significant, like good health or a supportive family.

Detailed Reflection: Write about why you are grateful for these things and how they positively impact your life.

2. Morning or Evening Routine:

Morning Reflection: Start your day by thinking of one thing you are grateful for. This sets a positive tone for the day.

Evening Reflection: Before going to bed, reflect on what went well during the day and express gratitude for those moments.

3. Express Gratitude to Others:

Verbal Appreciation: Take the time to thank people in your life. This can be a simple thank you or a more detailed expression of appreciation.

Written Notes: Write thank-you notes or letters to people who have positively impacted your life. This not only makes them feel appreciated but also reinforces your feelings of gratitude.

 

4. Meditation:

Gratitude Meditation: Incorporate gratitude into your meditation practice by focusing on things you are grateful for. Guided gratitude meditations can be particularly helpful.

Mindfulness Practice: Throughout the day, take moments to be mindful and appreciate your surroundings, experiences, and the people you interact with.

5. Acts of Kindness:

Give Back: Perform random acts of kindness. Helping others can increase your own feelings of gratitude.

Volunteer: Engage in community service or volunteer work. Being involved in helping others can foster a deeper appreciation for what you have.

 

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Practicing Forgiveness And The Art Of Letting Go