Participation in consistent gratitude practices pays huge dividends when it comes to creating more health, happiness, and joy in one’s life. Seriously – the results from these gratitude studies are pretty amazing. In fact, science shows that gratitude is required for true joy! Brene Brown, found that every single person in her study, who described themselves as joyful, actively practiced gratitude. (Source)
Incredible! Isn’t it?
But what does that look like?
What is a Gratitude Practice?
A gratitude practice is a deliberate and purposeful way of noticing and expressing appreciation for the good things around you. It can be as simple as pausing to feel gratitude for those who help you throughout the day and thank them. As well as projects that document what you are grateful for. My Grateful Life project is one example.
Here are 12 Simple Things You Can Do to Cultivate More Health, Happiness, and Joy in Life with a Gratitude Practice
Get a gratitude journal and writing down 3 things you are grateful for at the end of the day.
Express thanks to the clerk at the store, the customer service agent on the other end of the phone, and others that help you. Be deliberate in your thanks. Don’t let a rote “thank you” be the norm. Really feel the gratitude you have for their assistance.
Begin a gratitude meditation practice.
This video can assist you in knowing what this process may look like.
https://youtu.be/nCq5MkNem6k
Call someone and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
Pray and thank God for what you are grateful for. Really think about the things you are grateful for that day. Don’t just spew out rote thank you lines. Feel the gratitude.
Write a thank you note or send a thank you email to someone every day.
Write a letter of appreciation to someone who has impacted your life. Tell them how they have impacted it and how grateful you are for their contribution to your life.
Focus on what is working in your life. Even on the toughest days there are areas of ones life that are working. Focus on those.
When you think a negative thought, try to replace it with two positive ones.
Go on a walk in nature. Pause to notice all the incredible diversity and beauty around you.
Create a collage of things you are grateful for. Post it where you will see it regularly.
Photograph one thing every day that you are grateful for. Add them to a digital or a physical album so you can review them periodically. That is what I do in my Be Joyful by Design project which you can follow on Instagram. Learn more about it here.
What gratitude practices are you going to instigate in your life?
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