Gratitude

What is gratitude?

Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It's all about focussing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate that things that we often take for granted., life having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family and even computer access. Where we know others less fortunate than ourselves we offer support and help in practical ways:

1. Make a list of all you are grateful for - add to your phone notes or a journal, so you can look at these several times a day and memorise over time.

2. Live in the moment - Life is what happens when you are busy making plans, don't miss the moments, appreciate the journey.

3. Treat social media like your personal gratitude archive - it is well documented that social media can really mess with our happiness, if we let it. Fortunately it can also be a vehicle for gratitude, be aware and reflect on what you post or read.

4. Give gratitude to others - make time for your favourite people as positive relationships are the strongest predictors of happiness. There are times in your life where changes of friendship groups are necessary, if these are negative and toxic.

5. Make exercise a habit - studies show people with more gratitude work out more often than does who don't.

6. Make time to help others - volunteering can improve feeling of depression as this allow you to grow your gifts and talents in new meaningful ways.

7. Think about what you have instead of what you don't have - there is nothing wrong with being content with what you have.

This highest level of gratitude is reflection, acknowledgment, and appreciation of our worth. When we choose gratitude, we accept ourselves as worthy and give ourselves permission to be loved.

Remember that negativity is easier, thanks to the little theory called negative bias:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negativity_bias.

Practising gratitude goes in hand with positive thinking, which still isn't natural for us, don't beat yourself up, because your not the only person who needs help on finding ways to lead a more grateful life. There will always be things to worry about and we are a work in progress, for all our lives, but if you can adapt you daily habits by making small changes, over time this can make a big difference.