Grateful people are happier people. Even the research on gratitude also confirms this statement. When at some point in your life, someone does something to you; for example a dishwasher repair does a job for you and his this act that fills your heart with feelings of grateful warmth, it can be wonderful.
But you don’t have to wait for the circumstances to give you that feeling. There are things you can do in your life to proactively create feelings of gratitude for yourself; and this, with the experiences that you already have in your life. Thus, you create new experiences which can bring more feelings of gratitude to your life and to the lives of those around you. And with that gratitude comes several benefits, including increased resilience in the face of stress.
The strategies that you will learn about in the rest of this article are proven and can bring more gratitude to your life and relationships. Some of these are simple practices that you can try on your own to bring a unique burst of happiness. Others, are activities that can be practiced regularly to add a high sense of well-being to your mood. Either of them, are great gestures that you will remember for years to come. Whatever you are looking for, consider it all and see how you can improve your life with gratitude.
1. The smile
Studies show that the simple act of smiling can actually change the way you feel, regardless of why you are smiling. Add to that the fact that a lot of people instinctively smile when they see a real smile on someone else’s face. Like this, you gain double the benefits. You feel better, and you are surrounded by a world of happy, smiling people. A smile can facilitate difficult social interaction in seconds; thereby reducing the amount of stress you might be feeling in an otherwise sticky social situation.
2. Keep a gratitude journal
The logging has many proven benefits, including better health and greater resilience. Keeping a gratitude journal, however, brings an extra layer of benefits. At the end of each day, write down three things that you are grateful for; then really savor the positive feelings that come when you think about it. Keeping a gratitude journal has been shown to relieve feelings of depression and help relieve stress.
3. Practice loving kindness meditation
The heart of kindness meditation is widely practiced meditation that brings both benefits of meditation; and those of increased compassion and connection to others. It starts with a focus on positive, loving feelings about you, and goes from there. This type of meditation can help you revel in the feelings of gratitude you have for all the important people in your life; and develop greater feelings of gratitude for those with whom you may struggle.
4. Be aware of your comparisons
Almost anyone can fall prey to feelings of envy. Usually, those who are prone to envy tend to compare the worst of their own life with the best of someone else’s. Rarely do we want to trade entire lives with someone else; but rather we wish we had one thing that they have that makes our lives much better. Or we compare their best day, quality or circumstance with the worst.
5. Give a hug and a “Thank you”
Simply expressing gratitude with a quick word or a hug can help you feel more connected with others and feel more connected with yourself. These quick experiences can translate into positive feelings on sides; as well as stronger relationships and all the benefits that come with it.
Conclusion
Gratitude can improve peace of mind, reduce rumination; and have a negative effect on depressive symptoms. Expressing gratitude is important for a person in order to improve their health and happiness.