Gratitude

Gratitude is the practice of noticing and naming the good stuff in our lives, no matter how small it may seem. Gratitude is powerful and it can make life better in many ways. It can help us to shift our thoughts towards what is good about a moment. Leaning into practicing more gratitude in the day to day consistently will build new pathways in the brain. 

There are many benefits to practicing gratitude. This practice will help with reduced depression, less anxiety, improved sleep, and it can relieve overall stress levels. Gratitude is an essential skill in achieving self awareness and self management. Grateful people are happier and more satisfied with their lives, friends, family, community, and selves. They experience more hope, optimism, and self-esteem and perform better at school and work. Gratitude makes people more optimistic, helps others feel more positive, and helps people think more positively. 

Simply by setting the intention to be grateful, we will likely begin to see shifts in our experience, or at the very least, in our perception of our experience. Gratitude fills us with a sense of lightness and love, aligning us with the heart center at the core of our being. Gratitude is an active process, because it takes work. Your brain is not built to notice and hold onto good stuff so intention setting is key! 

There are several ways that we can practice gratitude in the day to day! We can simply start to notice small moments and things that are positive that we are grateful for. We can also actively practice gratitude reciting affirmations and practicing a meditation related to gratitude. We can also recognize when there are negative thoughts about a situation and redirect the thoughts with something we are grateful for. 

Below I am going to outline some gratitude practices for you to try. I suggest trying these things out a few times and seeing what resonates. 

Ideas for Gratitude practices to get you started - 

* Notice 3 things you are Grateful for as you start your day 

* Set a Gratitude intention- "I welcome this day with a Grateful heart" 

* Redirect negative thinking - notice what you like about the situation/ person/ place instead and think of that

* Simply think about a person or thing you are Grateful for 

* Write a note to someone expressing Gratitude - thank someone new every week 

* Use technology to send 3 gratitude messages a week 

* Thank yourself

* Look for silver linings 

* Start a Gratitude journal 

Gratitude Affirmations - 

* I am grateful for the many things in my life that bring me joy

* I express appreciation for small wins 

* What is happening now is for my greatest good 

* I am thankful for everyday experiences

* I am grateful for the lessons I learn within my experiences 

Gratitude Journal Prompts- 

* Write about the good things that happened today 

* List 5 things that you are Grateful for

* Write about a hard lesson you were Grateful to learn 

* What is something that you are looking forward to? 

* What made you laugh or smile today? 

Gratitude means connection: When we feel authentically grateful, we build richer connections. See how you can include more moments of Gratitude in your day to day and you will notice a difference in how you show up in the world, and how the world shows up for you. 

Please take a moment to share some things you are grateful for in the comments and I wish you to feel "Beyond Well" and I am grateful for you for taking the time to review this weeks message.

Be Beyond Well, Jen