I think I”m a grateful person, but am not always in the mood to write down what I notice. I go through cycles where I am extremely grateful to swinging back and thinking that the world is plotting against me.
Mood Booster
Gratitude has been proven to be a boost for your health. It makes sense if you think about it. Grateful people are easier to be around, have less stress, are more resilient, and are able to come up with solutions instead of wallowing (guilty of that). It makes you pay attention to all that is going well.
Looking with a New Lens
Just waking up and moving your body and doing everything required in daily life is a miracle. We are so blessed in large and small ways, and most of us take things for granted until something happens. Our bias is to focus on what isn’t going well.
This isn’t a way to pretend that life isn’t hard or you are facing heavy challenges. It’s easy to get caught in a web of negativity and not even notice what is happening around you. Losing all the joy in your life is something that isn’t helpful.
Some Suggestions
Here are ways to add a gratitude practice without taking extra time. As much as we would love to spend more time on personal growth, we still have to go to work, take care of our homes, and take care of our bodies. The tasks below are part of our daily lives and an easy way to remind ourselves to take the time to think of three things we notice, big or tiny, that we can be thankful for and take the time to really savor the moment. We can forget so easily when we deal with a rude person, an extra long wait, or everyday bureaucracy.
- While brushing your teeth
- On your commute
- Before you go to bed
- When you wake up
- When eating breakfast quietly
- While you exercise
- During your skincare routine
- While walking
- While waiting (for laundry, the microwave, coffee maker)
- While drinking a cup of tea.
