Did you know, according to a study published in ‘Personality and Individual Differences,’ grateful people experience fewer aches and pains, and they report feeling healthier than other people?
Here are a few ideas to help you practice gratitude in different ways other than writing your thanks every day (although... this is very important as well). These are just a few ideas to boost your gratitude.
Notice The Beauty
One of my favorite ways to practice gratitude is through nature.
When is the last time you stopped to smell a flower or admire a butterfly? It’s in these quiet moments you can gain some time for reflection on your day. If you’re not already in the habit of connecting with nature, I have some tips to help you get started.
1. Find a local park to walk through after dinner or visit on the weekend.
2. Plant pollinating flowers in your yard or start an herb garden.
3. Learn about native plants and how to care for them.
4. Start compost in your yard to reduce waste.
5. Pick up trash on your walks.
There is no limit to what you can do in nature to express and fuel your gratitude. Challenge yourself to get out in nature more often. Just 30 minutes a day can leave a lasting uplifting feeling.
Be Happy
It’s a common belief that happiness is born from gratitude.
Watch this TED Talk by Brother David Steindl-Rast: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Gratitude or Happiness or Both?
Being grateful can indeed make you happy, but being happy can also make you grateful!
By improving your level of happiness across all areas of your life, you can, in turn, increase your level of gratitude.
Identify one area of your life that doesn’t make you happy and consider what you can do to change it.
There are plenty of other ways to get your mood up, including exercising or participating in a hobby you enjoy. Let me know if you need help.
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