Why (and how) to be grateful every day
Yesterday I gave you some insights about the intelligence of your heart and how to tune in to your heart’s desires. One of the tips I gave you was to practice gratitude, so today I’d like to share some things I’ve learned about gratitude, why it’s so powerful and how to be grateful every day.
Why gratitude matters
You might have heard people say it’s important to be grateful, but do you know why? Here are a few facts I learned about gratitude when studying positive psychology:
• Gratitude alleviates stress. You can’t feel stressed and grateful at the same time. Choosing to feel grateful may reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
• Gratitude changes your heart waves. When you feel sincere appreciation for something, you can improve your heart rhythm coherence which has profound positive effects on your cardiovascular system and overall health. And since your heart’s electromagnetic field is strong enough to be measured several feet away, your gratitude has a positive affect on others around you.
• Gratitude provides a hit of serotonin and dopamine. These crucial neurotransmitters boost our mood instantly and make us feel happy from the inside.
• Gratitude improves health. Researchers have established an overwhelming connection between gratitude and good health, including an improvement in the quality of sleep. It’s positively correlated to more vitality, energy, and enthusiasm to work harder.
How to practice gratitude
At any moment, you can pause and be grateful for everything you have. Here are some other suggestions for you to bring more gratitude to your day:
• Experiment with starting or ending your day with gratitude. Sometimes I start workshops asking people to share what they’re grateful for, and participants tell me this is a powerful and calming exercise. I often end the day with my partner and I sharing three things we’re grateful for - the more specific, the better.
• Write a gratitude letter (or email) to someone. A couple of years ago I did this for my partner and for my dad, and both letters allowed me to say things I would never normally have said. They led to some beautiful conversations that have strengthened our relationships.
• Write a gratitude letter to yourself. What do you appreciate about yourself? What have you overcome or dealt with that you’re grateful for? Maybe you took a job, or left a job, or went on a date, or plucked up your courage to stand up for something important to you. Whatever it is, acknowledge yourself and express how grateful you are for what you said or did.
• Go for a walk in nature. As you walk, pay attention to what you see around you marvel at the wonder of nature. Appreciate and be grateful for what you see.
• Start a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for in that day. Be as specific as you can and relate it to things that have happened that day in particular. Even if it’s little things like seeing a cute dog on the way to work or getting a run of green traffic lights, it’s powerful to focus your attention on what you’re grateful for that day.
No matter how bad your day has been, challenge yourself to find something to be grateful for. The clothes you’re wearing. The roof over your head. All the phenomenal things your body does to keep you alive, without you even having to ask. There are always lots of things to be grateful for, and bringing your attention to these things will support your health and wellbeing.
Thank you for inviting me in to your inbox. I truly appreciate you.
With gratitude,
Ruth