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Making the most of Gratitude

Grateful woman
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault

                                                     

 

Gratitude means thankfulness and acknowledging everything that you receive. Showing gratitude is usually a required or expected thing, and at other times a spontaneous “thank you” to someone who has unknowingly made our day.

Yes! Our elders were right to teach us to say thank you when you receive that chocolate from your uncle or that birthday present you felt you deserved. I remember my seven year old self crying over a cake I didn’t get because I wouldn’t say thank you. We grew up guided by these unspoken rules. Whilst saying “thank you” shows good manners and respect it has been proven to heighten personal quality of life.

Did you know Gratitude has tremendous benefits? 

Gratitude can transform you. Its a very easy way to shift your mind from all the negative vibes. Here are a few things gratitude does for us:

     1. Opens doors to more relationships 

Showing appreciation can help you win new friends. Study has shown thanking a new acquaintance makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. So go on and Thank that stranger for giving you directions.

    2. Improves physical health

Studies have associated gratitude with fewer aches and pains. Being thankful helps you sleep better and even better gratitude might help keep our actual hearts healthy too!

     3.Reduces stress 

The positive focus can create a positive sense of well-being. This can distract you from your worries and upsets. more time to be thankful means less time to stress. 😉

 

    4.Increases happiness 

According to a study by Harvard Medical School  gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

 

Start a Gratitude practice Today.

Gratitude doesn’t seem to come as easily as grumbling does but the simplest way to practice gratitude is to turn into a daily habit. Here are some easy gratitude practices you can start right away :

 

  • Write a letter of gratitude
  • Start a gratitude journal
  • Create a jar of gratitude
  • Create your own affirmations for gratitude
  • Each day create a gratitude

 

 

Remember gratitude is not limited to what people have done for you. Pause and look around yourself. Look at other aspects of your life to be grateful for. Being appreciative towards yourself is great way to build your self-esteem and self confidence. You are a gift to yourself!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” Melody Beattie

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