#2. Practicing Active Gratitude

Background
A study divided its participants into three groups. Over the course of several months, Group #1 was asked to to write about things they were grateful for, Group #2 wrote about things they were annoyed by, and Group #3 just wrote about whatever they wanted. The result was that Group #1 was not only happier but exercised more and needed less medical treatment. Clearly, this study and others like it indicate that thinking actively about the things we’re grateful for helps our mood.

Applications
There are many ways to practice gratitude, from meditation to journals to pure thought. The key is a conscious focus on what has benefitted you recently. The big things, yes, but also the small things–you had a nice conversation with someone, lunch was particularly delicious, a TV show you watched was especially funny, whatever. Even those of us worst off have things to be thankful for–and you’re almost certainly not one of the people worst off.

Right Now

Write down or say aloud one thing that you’re grateful for that happened to you today. As I said, I suggest focusing on the smaller gestures, since they’re the glue connecting us together.