What is Gratitude, and How Do We Practice It?

For those who aren't familiar with Gratitude, it is a deep appreciation for all that we have in life. It's about counting your blessings and meaningfully and sincerely appreciating them. For example, one person can be grateful for having a roof over their head, while another might be grateful they can eat three meals daily.

Gratitude has been shown to benefit our physical health and mental well-being. In addition, studies show that practising gratitude can lower stress levels, improve sleep quality and strengthen relationships with others. In this article, you'll learn about gratitude's science and how it can improve your life!

Gratitude is not a complex concept. It's a positive emotion that arises when we focus on the good things in our lives. It's not about what we lack, but about appreciating what we have. Gratitude can be practised in simple ways every day, even if it's just taking a few seconds to pause and reflect on the blessings in your life. When we practice gratitude, we live happier lives because we feel more content with our current situation.

Gratitude
The best way to practice gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. This can be done in several ways, like writing down your grateful thoughts on paper or typing them up and saving them as a text document. Alternatively, you can use an app like [the Gratitude App], which allows you to record your experiences and emotions over time in photos and videos. Having a gratitude journal will enable you to reflect on what makes you happy - whether it be a memory from the past or something extraordinary happening right now!

Here are some other ways that I've found helpful in maintaining my sense of gratitude:
Keeping track of good things that happened each day.​

• I put positive affirmations around my room/house (writing positive messages on sticky notes). This helps me see myself as someone who has good things happen to them every day. :)
  
• You could also write these affirmations in your gratitude journal at the end of each day if they're not already there.
• Looking back at previous entries when I feel low - helps remind me how far I have come since then, so I can look forward again with hope rather than dwelling on the past.

I hope this article has opened your eyes to the transformative power of gratitude. It's not just a concept, but a tool that can truly change your life. But remember, it's only effective if you put it into practice. So why wait? Start your gratitude journey today and watch how it transforms your life!

According to Harvard University, gratitude is not just a feel-good concept, but a scientifically proven path to greater happiness. It consistently shows strong associations with positive emotions, relishing good experiences, improving health, coping with adversity, and building strong relationships.

So, rest assured, practising gratitude is a sure way to enhance your well-being.

​Monika Baechler-Dombay