The Practice of Being Grateful
As we navigate stress and overwhelm and the obstacles that come with those experiences, we are given the opportunity to discover the power of gratitude.
Being grateful matters. Research has shown that focusing on seeing the good in our lives can improve all dimensions of life, including our outlook, relationships and physical health. Focusing on gratitude increases resilience, and potentially lowers stress, anxiety, and depression. The more grateful we are, the greater is our capacity for joy.
Tips for practicing gratitude:
Take a deep breath — breathing in through your nose and exhaling out your mouth. Do this several times and feel your shoulders drop and your body soften. Perhaps put your hand over your heart. Can you feel the beauty of your body and how it breathes itself into each moment? Say a simple “thank you” for the gift of your breath.
For one day, begin and end your day with one point of gratitude. It can be a person, an event, the experience of nature’s beauty, or a trait you discover in yourself, to name a few. Share your gratitude with a loved one or write it down. Notice how it feels to focus on gratitude rather than what’s not working.
Slow down. Open your eyes. We look, but we rarely see in real time because we’re moving too fast. Our eyes are miraculous – imagine the intricacies that converge to create our ability to see. Use the “fresh eyes” technique to look upon the familiar with new eyes. Close your eyes, think, “fresh eyes” and open with a new perspective. You can do this anywhere and anytime!
“Gratitude practices are shown to open the door to more relationships, improve self-esteem and physical health, increase mental strength, AND grateful people sleep better.”
— Amy Morin, LCSW
To your WellBeing!
Nanette
