Gratitude practice is an amazing way to re-program your mind to automatically think positively in all situations. Take a quick moment to think back over your day. Which parts do you remember most? Was the first memory that came to mind a coworker giving you a fantastic compliment? Chances are, it wasn’t, and that’s okay! Because of our natural survival instincts, you’re more likely to be dwelling on something harmful a coworker said or that horrible traffic jam on your way to work than how nice someone’s warm smile was. It’s in our nature to mull over the bad instances in our lives; that method of processing worked wonders for our ancestors, as they needed to figure out how to survive predator attacks.
We’re grateful that we don’t have to worry about a lion attack or a village ambush, and now we can work to counter that ingrained, automatic, negative thinking! By practicing gratitude, we are telling our brains that we want to remember and think about the positive happenings in our lives! This constant validation encourages our natural thought process to be more happy, healthy, and grateful. Gratitude practice has many incredible benefits such as increases in self-worth, self-esteem, self-love, and personal friendliness. Best of all, practicing gratitude is simple and easy! Long story short: Gratitude practice can change your life.
5 Ways to Practice Gratitude
- Start a Gratitude Journal
- Start a Gratitude Jar
- Tell someone how grateful you are for them and why
- Write a letter to someone, explaining why you are grateful for them
- Be Grateful in the moment
Copyright 2015 Jennifer “Aurora Moone” McDonald / All Rights Reserved.
