Gratitude Brings More Happiness - So Why Not?

Being Grateful Makes You Happier

And who doesn't want to be happier?  Gratitude also has a laundry list of other benefits, so let's explore how we can include more of it in our daily lives.

Practicing Gratitude

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. 

No down side here people!! 

It is also nearly impossible to feel hopeless and grateful at the same time.  When things feel overwhelming, awful, or hopeless, GRATITUDE is your secret weapon.

So what types of things are you grateful for?  Take a minute and think right now - when you look around and think of your life - what do you appreciate?  

What makes you feel most happy?  Is it your plan for today, or your health, or the many opportunities that you see before you?  Is it the fact that traffic wasn't too bad today, or that it is Friday, or that you see pizza in your immediate future? Whatever it is, notice it, name it, and really feel grateful for it.  

Now that you know how to identify what you are grateful for, how can you embed this practice into your life?  There are several ways which I will list out, but the key is to pick ONE - one method at first to practice gratitude and make it a habit.  

Set an alarm on your phone or a recurring reminder in your calendar.  Leave out a visual reminder.  Team up with a friend and commit to texting each other every day. By making gratitude a habit, it will stick with you and the benefits will keep coming!

Some ways to practice gratitude:

Gratitude Journal - I personally practice this.  Years ago my sister gave me a 5-year journal and each night I write 2-3 quick sentences about what I was grateful for that day.  Am I perfect at doing this every day?  No. But if I miss a couple days, I always go back and fill it in, because I can always think back to something about that day that I was grateful for.  Even on my worst days, I could write that I was grateful for a bed and a roof over my head.  The coolest part is now that I am in year 9 (yes, I'm on my second journal!) and I can look back on what I was grateful for over past years, and it makes me even more happy with my life :)

It has profoundly changed how I view my life on a regular basis, but it took time for me to feel the benefits of this habit.  Consistency is key.

Affirmations - every morning or every evening (tie it to your routine, maybe in the shower or when you are washing your face) say something you are grateful for out loud.  At first it feels silly.  But after awhile it becomes empowering.  It feels great to hear your own voice highlighting everything you have in your life to be grateful for.

Text/Email - as mentioned earlier, teaming up with a friend/partner is a great way to keep yourself accountable to stay with the practice, and it gives you some insight into what your friend/partner is also grateful for in their life.  It is a little insight that, over time, can lead to a more meaningful and deep relationship.

There are plenty of other ways to show gratitude and keep it front of mind, these are just a few of the methods I've found to be effective and easy enough to incorporate into my already very busy day.  

I'm grateful for my health, my ability to walk outside almost every day, and that my family is doing well right now, despite the past few weeks of disruption from hurricanes.

As overwhelmed as I felt these past few weeks, when I wrote down what I was grateful for, it changed my entire mood and outlook, even if only for a few minutes.

It takes less than a minute to think of something you are grateful for every day.  And that minute can lead to a lifetime of appreciation for all things - big and small - that you are grateful for.  

So go ahead, email me something right now that you are grateful for!  And feel the happy that you deserve :)

Gratefully yours,
Sharon

Create a Life to be Grateful For

You deserve a life you love.  I can help you gain clarity on how to enjoy life AND succeed, and the tools you need to make it happen.  Whether it is to better enjoy the present moment or to set yourself up for success for the rest of this year, I offer clarity sessions, consistent support, and accountability through several options.  

Schedule a free, confidential strategy call by CLICKING HERE (Choose Free Strategy Session) and we can decide what's best for you.

** Don't delay, as I have discounted rates available if you schedule your free strategy session before Oct 31st! **

Life is too short to keep putting off what you really want.  Don't stay stuck feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unsatisfied.  I've helped so many improve their happiness, well-being, and success because they chose to schedule a call and take one step towards the life of their dreams.  I can help you too.