The power of gratitude

  • January 10, 2022

If you’re hoping for a positive start to next year – looking into the practice and power of gratitude will put you on the right track. Whether it’s helping to improve our mental and emotional health or allowing us to focus on the beauty of our relationships with others – gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. Don’t worry if you’re not into meditation or you’ve never thought about practicing gratitude before, we’ve got the basics covered to help you channel mindfulness and inner peace in no time. 

  • Notice the good

    The game-changing power of gratitude is not to be ignored. By living with a little gratitude each and every day, we’re able to celebrate the small wins, which strengthens our goodness muscles. What the heck are goodness muscles, you ask? They’re our ability to recognise good things even when they’re small and otherwise seemingly inconsequential. But like all good things (no pun intended), this all takes practice. The more you focus on that which you’re grateful for, the more you’ll find there is to be grateful for. It’s a wonderfully positive cycle that rewards us more with each loop.

  • Giving thanks

    Gratitude is linked to a huge range of benefits, including better sleep, increased optimism, feeling less lonely, heightened joy and even a stronger immune system! How good is that? A big part of practicing gratitude includes being thankful for the good things we’ve already received, and the important part other people play in sprinkling goodness throughout our lives. While it’s common courtesy to say ‘thank you’ to those who help us, there’s more to it than just being polite. Think about the intent behind the action.

  • The small moments

    So, how do you start reaping all of these amazing spiritual, physical and emotional benefits? It’s simple – you start small. Sometimes it might just be saying ‘thank you’ to someone who lets you go ahead of them in a queue, or holds the lift open for you right as the doors are about to close. But if you’re looking to ramp up your gratitude practices, start by keeping a gratitude diary. Try to commit to writing in this journal at least three times a week, documenting everything from the friends and family you’re thankful for to the talents you’re grateful for being blessed with. If things have been tough lately and you can’t find much to be grateful for – just think about how far you’ve come in the last days, weeks or months. By contrasting where you’ve come from and where you’re headed, you’ll remind yourself of all the wonderful things that are still happening around you – even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

  • Prompts to keep in mind

    Sometimes we need a little push, so if you can’t think of anything you’re grateful for in the moment – ask yourself the following questions. 1. What have I received from others this month? 2. What have I given to others this month? 3. Who can I thank for their friendship or support this month? Sharing your gratitude with others has been linked to stronger friendships and relationships – which is just the icing on the cake, if you ask us! You may also try recalling and writing about the moments or events that were surprising or unexpected during the last few weeks.

  • View goodness as a gift

    It’s important to remember that good things aren’t necessarily a given – they’re a gift, never to be taken for granted. Take some time each week to savour these goodness moments whether they’ve come to you in the form of an opportunity, a person or an idea. The sooner we leave any sense of entitlement at the door, the sooner we appreciate what we have, and feel a sense of gratitude for all that we’ve received so far. 

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