There are all sorts of amazing benefits of practicing gratitude that will improve your overall health and mental health. For example, it is widely thought that practicing gratitude can decrease bodily inflammation and increase overall happiness. Continue reading to learn about more ways in which practicing gratitude can benefit you.
- One exercise in gratitude practice is to write a thank you letter or a letter of gratitude to someone that you are thankful to have in your life. It can be to anyone, and it can be for any reason you may be thankful to them or for them. Once the letter has been written, you can either send the letter to your loved one in the mail, or deliver it to them in person! Once they read the letter that you’ve written, not only will it brighten their day, it will make you feel good too knowing you’ve expressed your gratitude for them.
- Take a moment to think about all the positive things in your life, and how your life would be different if one of these things you’re grateful for had never happened. For example, think about what your life would be if you had never met the love of your life, if you had never stopped engaging in one of your bad habits, or if you had never landed the job that you enjoy going to every day. Thinking about what you’re grateful for in this life will make you appreciate everything you have all the more.
- If you are currently going through a situation in your life that feels particularly difficult, think about past situations in your life that have been difficult, and take note of how you overcame those situations and kept surviving. This is a practice in self-gratitude for getting through tough times and moving forward despite the challenges you may face in life.
- Take some time out of your day to practice saying “thank you” in a way that’s meaningful. No matter what you may be using the phrase for, express it in the most sincere way possible. Whether someone has done you a favor, held a door open for you, included you in an activity or just was there for you in a time of need, practicing gratitude in these situations will emphasis the gratitude you feel.
- Consider keeping a journal about various things for which you are grateful for in your life, and try to write in it every day! These things could include people, situations, or even possessions. Additionally, you could also choose to include negative situations that you may be grateful for as well, such as avoiding accidents or not speaking to individuals who may cause you mental anguish.
These are just a few of the different ways in which utilizing gratitude can help to improve your overall mental health. The beauty of gratitude is that it can be practiced every day!
Thank you for visiting CheerfulHearts by LauraBeth Ryan, a person who can help you to practice gratitude and online life coaching. We hope that you’ve found this blog helpful in taking the first step towards practicing gratitude! If you or someone you know needs a personal empowerment coach, contact LauraBeth today.