Let’s face it. Life is not always an Instagram-worthy collage of sunset beaches and frothy cappuccinos. At times, it’s more like fixing a slow Wi-Fi connection, spilling coffee on your favourite t-shirt, or stepping on Legos. Still, in some ways, it is possible to be grateful for these troublesome times. Learning how to be more grateful and positive does not have to mean putting on endless smiles like a machine. In fact, it requires a positive mindset coupled with an intention for self-improvement that will create a shift in perspective to have more appreciation for the little things in life (like UberEats drivers who aren’t surprised at 3 AM burrito orders).
If that didn’t cut it, science says otherwise. Research states that gratitude practice aids in improving mental health and emotional well-being and quite literally increases life longevity. Feels a bit shocking, but having a grateful heart is like drinking from the fountain of youth — without the gory Indiana Jones side effects. Now, let us dive into the magical waters of gratitude habits and witness how they can transform a dull life into a thankful one.
Why Gratitude Matters In Daily Life
They say a grateful heart is the key to living a full life. It turns all the negativity into positivity, chaos to calmness, and confusion into clarity. Here are some reasons why each person should inculcate gratitude in their daily life:
1. The science of thankfulness
Your brain tends to act like a puppy and, just like animals, your brain too enjoys treats. One of the treats your brain loves most is gratitude. Studies show that practicing grateful thinking releases dopamine and serotonin, a.k.a. the “feel-good” chemicals. Just imagine giving your brain a belly rub. It is more than just satisfying; it is amazing, right? Maybe you can try it for yourself once and witness the positivity.
Also, maintaining a gratitude journal improves one’s sleep patterns, provides stress relief, and elevates mental health. Therefore, if counting sheep isn’t working, attempt counting what you are thankful for instead. Even if your list only has coffee, Wi-Fi, and a wonderful nap, you are doing it right.
2. The Law of Attraction
Have you ever wondered why on the days that you wake up on the wrong side of the bed things tend to only get worse? That is the law of attraction. However, if you turn it the opposite way, life starts showing you good vibes. It is reasonable to say that gratitude exercises work like a VIP invitation to the best reward program. Instead of a free latte, a person receives inner peace and a success mindset.
This has something to do with the concept of manifestation as well. Manifestation works by setting an intention for yourself, be it self-growth or goals that you want to achieve in life. Consistent belief and working towards it in small ways attract your goal to you.
3. A happy life comes with a happy body
Living with gratitude is not only reserved for yoga instructors and monks since it has been proven that a positive attitude towards life can enhance the health of your heart, increase your immunity, and even lessen the effects of chronic pain. The phrase “count your blessings” is not philosophical; it is apparently good medical advice.
Lastly, for those seeking an easier life, replacing expensive supplements with daily affirmations will suffice. Expect side effects to include increased joy and gratitude, reduced eye-rolling, and altruism.
8 Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude Everyday
Practicing gratitude involves more than just writing down what you’re thankful for. It’s an entire mindset shift. Affirmations, believing and showing small acts of gratitude are some of the techniques that can help improve one’s happiness. These are incredibly easy to do and help with stress relief and the development of a success-oriented mentality. With consistency, one achieves a state where living is filled with gratitude. Ultimately, this helps in learning to appreciate the smaller, joyous moments in life.
1. The gratitude journal: Your brain’s personal hype book
To begin, I present the simplest of all in developing a gratitude habit―maintaining a gratitude journal. All you have to do is, every day write three things that you are grateful for. And yes, they don’t need to be deep, “I didn’t spill coffee on myself today” or “I recollected my passwords without needing to reset them” absolutely work.
With time, your brain will learn to fixate on the good aspects, even if it revolves around your cat’s funny, albeit judgmental stare. Eventually, you will effortlessly attain a grateful mindset. This attitude is like applying a set of happiness tips to your life.
2. Gratitude meditation: A spa day for your brain
Don’t worry if the idea of meditation makes you envision sitting motionless for hours. Thankfully, gratitude meditation is far more simple than that. No need to levitate either! Simply close your eyes, breathe deeply, and reflect on the things that bring you joy. It can be a family member, cravings, or even the satisfaction experienced with receiving a perfect online order.
Just five minutes of doing this every day can help you improve your mood and inner peace while also benefiting your mental wellness.
3. Gratitude affirmations: Self-growth constructed like a work of art
Let’s change things up a bit. How about starting your day by expressing gratitude in daily life? They are like motivational self-talks but for your mind. Take a look at these phrases and give them a try:
” I am thankful for my journey as it is one of a kind.”
“My heart full of gratitude ensures success comes to me effortlessly.”
“I appreciate my life, even when it feels like a sitcom plot twist.”
Try saying them in front of a mirror, transposing them onto sticky notes, or screaming them out into the abyss (the decision is yours). Eventually, you’ll have the ability to brainwash yourself to accept these claims as facts; life improves dramatically.
4. Grateful actions (also known as being a good person)
Feel like changing your mood in an instant? You can start right away! Here is how gratitude changes your mindset in the simplest form: try complimenting a stranger, paying for a coffee for the next person in line, or telling your barista how amazing their latte art is. Simple acts of gratitude go a long way, and the more of these you shower, the more positive energy you will attract.
5. Gratitude quotes: When other people say it better
In attempts to “steal” thinking or conceptions, it is sometimes better to transform a layman’s thinking into that of the greats. Here are some top-rated gratitude quotes that are helpful:
“Gratitude transforms what we have into enough.”
“Feeling thankful and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
Keep them as phone wallpapers, use them as reminders, or drop them in topics or conversations to sound wise.
6. Mindful living: Pay attention to your life
One of the simplest concepts: Are you as grateful as you think you are? There is no need to live on autopilot anymore. Are you appreciative of the bare minimum? For instance, the coffee you have as soon as you wake up, or the fresh air you breathe, or the mere fact your pet (dog) loves you even in your absolute mess (neither washed up nor changed).
Positive living comes with mindfulness that will make sure nothing that you are doing goes unnoticed. The promotion of such an attitude should be noted that the more goods will be noticed, the more goods there will be to be thankful for.
7. The “grati-text” challenge
That friend who always supports you, or that colleague who rescued you from a catastrophic typo in your email? Those are the people you should send a text saying thank you to. It does not need to be lengthy; you can say something like “Hello, I value you! ” which will certainly warm someone’s heart and make their day (and let’s not kid ourselves, improve your mindset in the process).
Bonus: When you send a gratitude voice note, it is likely you have a lot of enthusiasm. Remember not to sound like you are accepting an Oscar, though.
8. The “gratitude shuffle”: Your playlist, but make it thankful
Let us not forget that music can instantly change your mood, so consider making a “Thankfulness” playlist. You can add songs that make you smile, that remind you of happy days, or songs which make you want to dance without a care. Whether it is Beyonce who makes you remember how you are irreplaceable or Bob Marley telling you that every little thing will be alright, this playlist will always remind you to have an instant boost for gratitude and make you feel good.
Bonus tip: Incorporate it into unexciting tasks (e.g. doing the dishes or driving), and all of a sudden, life seems to have a movie feel to it. You’ll get bonus points if you dramatically lip-sync your way through traffic. Practicing daily gratitude in the most minute ways is bound to show bigger impacts in your life.
The Power Of Gratitude
Learning how to be more grateful is as simple as acknowledging that life can be difficult. Adopting an attitude could be as easy as keeping a gratitude journal, meditating for a few minutes, or focusing on telling everyone you meet “thank you.” These things are not small in the course of personal growth. They represent a massive transformation in thought during the process of grateful living.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, stop for a moment and locate something, just one thing, that you could be grateful for. It might be an ignored object, like your bed, or a cherished one, like your best friend or even your dogs. It does not matter. The power of gratitude works in multi-dimensional ways. The point is, when you consistently access gratitude techniques, life offers an entirely different narrative altogether. The benefits of gratitude are sure to shower upon you. So, go out and share the love, but do it one thank you at a time. If everything else fails, simply be thankful that you made it to the end of the article without your phone running out of battery.
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