The power of gratitude

Acknowledging the things in your life that you can feel grateful for has a hugely powerful effect on your state of mind and how you feel, leading to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Being grateful must be one of the simplest and most effective practices to introduce, or enjoy further, in your daily life.

I appreciate sometimes life can be really, really tough and when you are feeling very low, it can sometimes be difficult to be expected to be grateful. Although, it’s times like these that the impact of gratitude can make the biggest difference of all, and it may even be life-changing.

Research suggests gratitude has been linked to:

Lower levels of depression and anxiety
Leading a more optimistic outlook
Engaging in healthier behaviours
Improved immune function
Lower blood pressure
Better relationships and sense of connection
Increased resilience, coping abilities and stress management
Improved sleep quality
Greater self-worth and self-esteem
Ability to be present and mindful, focusing on positives rather than dwelling on negatives

Little and often is the key. You can feel grateful for the smallest of things, they all add up and contribute to your overall wellbeing.

Try to make intentional gratitude a habit and part of your day-to-day routine, in a way that works for you. I’d love to know if you start to notice any change in the way you feel.

Here are some ideas:

Start the day by thinking about 3 things you appreciate
Over your evening meal talk to your family or people you live with about the ‘peaks’ of their day and yours
End the day reflecting on 3 things that were good about your day

Think about your five different senses - something you tasted, heard, smelt, saw or felt
Recognise the people in your life, the nature around you, the simple comforts of home, work, or school if relevant to you
Express your thanks to people who are kind or helpful in any small or significant way – in-person, by email, phone, or a card or letter
Notice something you have learnt, listened to, or read
Honour yourself for something you have achieved, accomplished or worked towards today
Keep a gratitude jar or box to add small notes to and reflect on later

If you are struggling to find gratitude, you could try a short meditation that will guide you to focus your thoughts on the things you are thankful for. This can help cultivate a sense of appreciation and contentment.

Check out my 'It's a Beautiful Day' planner - a great un-dated tool you can use any time, with space dedicated to noting what you feel grateful for. It’s also jam-packed full of useful hints, tips, ideas, and inspiration to support your wellbeing journey.

Look out for my next post: 5 tips to make life more simple and joyful!

Enjoy!

Related reading:

Focus on the good stuff to make you feel great - this was written during the Covid-19 period when a lot of people were isolating and working from home but it is still relevant and contains more links that you might find helpful!