How to Be Grateful for What You Have: A Simple Guide
In a world that constantly tells us we need more and better things, it's easy to forget how good we have it. is the act of for what we have, instead of longing for what we don't. It's a choice we make to focus on the positive in our lives. And studies show can improve our physical and , sleep quality, relationships, and resilience in the face of stress.
In the absence of , we can quickly begin to feel like failures.
provides us with a , a way to come back to what's right in our lives, to see the good in the negative, and to turn our thoughts away from our problems so we can find a way to be happy. I think of as a form of spiritual intelligence.
How the world tells us we need more/better things
How the world tells us we need more/better things: The world makes it difficult for us to be . Instead, we are constantly bombarded with images and messages that tell us we need more and better things in a our . Whether it's a new car, a bigger house, or the latest gadget, we're always being told that we need to upgrade our lives. And while there's nothing wrong with wanting nicer things, as a , it's important to be grateful for what you have. is an important virtue because not only is it responsible in part for our but it helps us remember that even though we may not have everything we want, there are still many blessings in our lives.
But how can we have , even when we are fed up with our circumstances, you might ask..?
First, recognize that is hard. Yes, it is. We all suffer, and we all have to deal with difficult circumstances. This is a fact of . Second, remember that there are others who are faring far worse than you, who are dying of starvation or of AIDS in third-world countries.
How this makes it easy to forget what we have
If you're like me, you sometimes find it hard to be grateful for what you have. You see all the negative things in your , and it's easy to forget that first of all - your itself is a and all the other good things in it are well earned bonuses. But here's why is so important: When we focus on what we're grateful for, we open ourselves up to more positive experiences. According to the laws of we attract more of what we want into our lives when we are grateful. And studies have shown that can improve our , mental well-being, and overall satisfaction with . So how can you start being more grateful and showing , ? You can start by being aware. Awareness of what you have. Awareness of what you don't have. Awareness of the good things in your - the people and things you love.
What is (the act of for what we have)
When you wake up in the morning, do you ever think to yourself how lucky you are? How grateful you are for what you have? For many of us, the answer is no. We take our lives for granted and forget to be thankful for all that we have. When we appreciate what we have, we are simply acknowledging our and our lives become richer and fuller. So how can we be more grateful? First, start each day or end each day by thinking about three things that you're grateful for, think of them like 3 mini that have had a on your experience that day. Sounds simple when its only three things, but it really does make a difference. It shifts the way you approach each coming day.
- It really works. Try it. You'll be surprised at the you will achieve. And if you can't think of anything right away, just focus on grateful for how far you've come in . has been proven to improve one's mood and reduce stress. And both of these things help us sleep better. Second, spend time in nature each day. Nature has a tremendous on our biological clock and overall well being as a .
- Each night, spend five minutes writing down one that happened that day is more powerful than lingering . By being in the with that single you are really harnessing . It can be something as simple as allowing a stranger to go ahead of you in the grocery checkout line, or letting a driver in front of you when the light turns green.
- Noticing and appreciating even can make a huge difference to your day overall. At the end of each day, think about how you could have made today better. What went well and what could you have done differently? Use these two simple practices to focus on the positive things in your and to make tomorrow even better. These questions are very practical and will help you in your journey of self-improvement and .
If any of that is too hard, focus on one that you're grateful for. If that's too hard, focus on the act of being grateful.
The point is to simply . Why? Because it will help you to have a positive attitude by being grateful and thankful and help you feel better.
Why the of is important
is often thought of as a trait to be exhibited during the good times - when is going our way and we're reaping the benefits of our hard work. But what about those other times? The moments when things are tough and we're faced with disappointment, heartache, or even tragedy. It can be difficult to muster up feelings of in these situations. Nevertheless, is important even (and perhaps especially) during the tough times because it helps bring our best into being.
The benefits of
In these uncertain times, it's more important than ever to be grateful for what we have. has many benefits, including improving our mental and , increasing our resilience in the face of adversity, and enhancing our relationships. By taking a few moments each day to appreciate the good in our lives, we can make a big difference in how happy and healthy we are. The aim here is to be happier and to be able to find , develop the habit of searching for the good in everything. over time will give you a more positive mindset.
A study at the University of California found that people with positive frames of mind experience lower stress and fewer illness symptoms.2 Positive thinking reduces stress hormones and increases the body's level of prolactin, a hormone that enhances well-being and wards off depression.
Research also suggests that can help cultivate resilience, which is defined as a "flexible, positive way of responding to difficulties."9 can also boost our feelings of , making us more likely to feel "happy and useful," qualities found to promote resilience.
The -Changing : How to Every Day
is one of the most important, yet underutilized, tools in our personal arsenal. has the power to change our lives for the better and help us manifest our deepest desires. The best part is that it's free and available to everyone.
is a powerful, yet underutilized, tool that can change our lives for the better and help us manifest our deepest desires.
In spite of the many benefits of , it's something that many of us don't take the time to cultivate on a daily basis. This is often because we think we don't have anything to be grateful for. But if we take a closer look, there are always things ( and big things) in our lives to appreciate - even if they are small and seemingly insignificant. One way to begin is by keeping a .
It is free and available to everyone.
is one of the most powerful positive emotions we can feel. It has been linked to better , more robust , a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and increased and . also leads to more altruistic behaviour, such as volunteering, helping others, and cooperative behaviour. The good news is that being a is something we can choose to cultivate in our lives. Here are some simple ways to do so:
1) Keep a or list: written down on paper is a well documented route to and . This can be done daily or weekly.
2) Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the process of being completely aware and fully engaged in each moment. It allows you to experience as it is occurring in the current moment putting aside even just for a short while. Long enough though to experience of .
3) You can also by keeping a list or a to an imaginary family friend. At the end of each day, reflect on what you have to be grateful for. Just like with the journal, make it a daily routine.
4) Eat Healthy Food What you put in your body has a big impact on the quality of you experience and is a . If you're not eating a healthy diet, you're not only hurting yourself but also the people around you. Good food tastes great and feels great to eat.
5) It's not always easy to remember to write things down so don't be afraid to use technology to help you . There are many apps on the market today that are low priced but just as effective to have a on your .
can help us improve our mental and , build strong relationships, find , overcome challenges and setbacks, boost our career prospects, become more resilient to stress...etc.
When you wake up each morning, take a few moments to think about the things in your that you're thankful for. It does not need to be anything "", it could be something as simple as having a roof over your head or being able to take a hot shower. Expressing for the good things in our lives can help us feel more positive and optimistic, which can lead to improved mental and . It's also important to in our relationships. Be thankful for your friends and family members, even if they drive you crazy sometimes!
The best way to start is by keeping a where you list down things/people/situations you'
The best way to start is by keeping a . You can list down things, people, or situations you're grateful for each day. journals are a great way to focus on the positive things in your , and they can help shift your mindset from negative to positive. You may even find that you start noticing more little things in your life to be grateful that you had never even thought of before.
If you really do think that you need some inspiration, feel free to have a look at our gratitude necklace collection you might be pleasantly surprised.