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Finding the Beauty of Gratitude

by | May 4, 2019 | Natural Solutions

Mindfulness

When many of us think of gratitude, we associate it the act of simply saying “thank you” to someone for an act of kindness. However, gratitude is more than just a reaction or the feeling associated with feeling thankful for something.Instead, it is a positive emotion, and a deeper appreciation of someone or something. This deeper relationship with gratitude, of course, has a longer lasting effect.

Gratitude is a state of mind that we create when we affirm good in our lives that comes from outside of ourselves or from relishing in small pleasures. We all have those precious blessings in our lives that we are grateful for, but gratitude does not necessarily have to come from our own circumstances.

Practicing gratitude means developing an awareness that allows you to be grateful for things like good health, a delicious meal, a child’s smile, the air that you breathe. It is a deeper appreciation of life in all its moments. This includes negative experiences as well because by practicing gratitude, you become aware and grateful that there is always something to be learned. You choose what to be grateful for and when.

The benefits of practicing gratitude are plentiful. Here are some of them:

  1. Health
    Gratitude improve physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they report feeling healthier than other people, according to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences.
  2. Wellbeing
    Expressing your gratitude can improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
  3. Psychological health
    Gratitude reduces toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Removing toxic emotions, helps on any healing journey.
  4. Relationships
    Gratitude strengthens interpersonal relationships and also fosters new relationships.  Showing appreciation can help you win new friends, according to a 2014 study published in Emotion.
  5. Optimism
    A focus on gratitude can increase optimism by shifting your energy to more positive emotions.
  6. Happiness
    The pursuit of happiness is subjective, but the satisfaction that comes from practicing gratitude has a lasting positive effect. Therefore, the more we practice gratitude, the more positive we feel, thus the happier we are with our lives.

So. how do you enter into this state of mind?

Starting a gratitude journal is a wonderful way to get in touch with what makes you feel grateful but not only for you but for you kids as well. Here is a great journal for your kids – https://amzn.to/2DPSORR. The journal I use is https://amzn.to/2DNw84M or if I need a bit more guidance, I use this – https://amzn.to/2H22XNt.

To do this, get yourself a journal that is only going to be used for your gratitude journal. This is important because you want this journal to be filled with positive, happy experiences and emotions. It is good to be able to express all of your emotions, so maybe have a secondary journal for all other expressions.

The purpose of the journal is to reflect on your day or week to pull out at least five things you feel grateful for.

Before you begin your journaling, make sure you feel sincere about what you are about to write about, and try to focus your energies on both people and intangibles.

You can use any approach that works for you but following are some suggestions:

  • List all the things that you are grateful for today;
  • Review want went well today, ensure you go into detail so you can experience full gratitude;
  • Focusing on people you are grateful for rather than focusing on things for which you are grateful;
  • Reflect on what your life would be like without your current life, rather than just tallying up all those good things.

Besides highlighting the wonderful things you can be grateful for, this practice has been proven to increase sleep quality, decrease symptoms of sickness, and increase happiness and joy.

Enjoy the journey!

Sources:
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-appreciation/

https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-exercises/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#7d42dac4183c

NB: And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition. 

 

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And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition. 

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Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of peace and calm with your child using natural strategies?

Lets talk!

Book your free call with one of my expert team members to help you take your next step toward a healthier, happier home. There is absolutely NO RISK. It’s free, and there are no obligations. All we will do is chat about how we can help you get to where you want to go!

click here to book your call

Alternatively, for more details about how you can help reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, sign up for my free online webinar today here.

And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition.