Top ways to incorporate gratitude

National Gratitude Month is celebrated each year in November to encourage people to find ways to better themselves through giving back or helping others. Gratitude is the act of being thankful for what you have. It can help you live longer, improve your relationships, sleep better, and manage stress (1).

Gratitude has been shown to be beneficial for moods, health, and well-being by increasing optimism and helping people focus on the positive aspects of their lives rather than the negative ones.

Gratitude Tips

• Make a gratitude journal

  Start a gratitude journal, write a couple things you are grateful for each day. You can look back at all your previous journal entries and reflect on the many things you are grateful for.

• Be thankful for the little things

  Gratitude doesn’t always mean only appreciating the big moments in life. Be thankful for the little things like a beautiful sunset or a good cup of coffee.

• Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have

  It can be easy to think that the green is always greener on the other side. Take a moment to appreciate things in your life that make you happy.

• Be grateful for your family and friends

  Share your gratitude with others, let the people close in your life know that you appreciate them.

• Give back to the community

  Show your gratitude by giving back to the community. There are many ways you can give back to your local community through volunteering.

Actively practicing gratitude can help you feel happier while also having a positive effect on your health, relationships, and career.

Sources:

(1) Allen, Summer. “Is Gratitude Good for Your Health?” Greater Good, University of California, Berkeley, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/is_gratitude_good_for_your_health.