In our Adulting is Hard! post last week, we recommended these three actions, to support you in the challenges and uncertainties of life:
- Identify Life Priorities
- Practice Emotional Agility
- Commit to a Possibility Mindset
Since that post, we’ve been reminded again and again, that Gratitude can also be a wonderful support.
If you’ve been with us for any length of time, you’ll know that we’ve written about the power of gratitude regularly. It can have a whole host of positive effects on both our mental and physical wellness.
A Mayo Clinic article says this about gratitude,
“Expressing gratitude is associated
with a host of
mental and physical benefits.
Studies have shown that feeling thankful can
improve sleep, mood, and immunity.
Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety,
difficulties with chronic pain
and risk of disease.
If a pill could do this,
everyone would be taking it.”
We couldn’t agree more!
We’ve also seen that creating a regular practice of gratitude can help with things like burnout, grief, loneliness, work challenges, and relationship issues.
So today, we’d encourage you to pause, breathe, and take a moment to be grateful. If you’re having trouble getting started, consider these suggestions:
YOUR GRATITUDES
- What are the everyday things that maybe you take for granted like your home, health, food, water, work, or pets?
- What spot at home or work brings you comfort?
- What made you laugh or put a smile on your face?
- What sights, sounds, smells, or tastes, brought you joy?
- Who are you grateful for (colleague, friend, loved one, server, or practitioner)?
- Who has supported you through a difficult time?
- How did someone make your work or personal life easier?
- Who made you laugh or brightened your day?
- What have you learned from someone else’s experience?
- What gifts or talents have you shared with your world?
- How have you grown?
- What have you learned from a difficult experience?
- What character traits of yours helped you through a difficult conversation?
- What’s gone well?
- What team or group accomplishments or encounters are you proud of?
YOUR PRACTICE
- Each morning or evening, write down 1-3 things you’re grateful for.
- Text, email, or call a buddy each day to share your gratitudes.
- Put a daily reminder on your phone, to pause, breathe, and look for a gratitude.
- Meet regularly with one or more people and share your gratitudes.
We know that practicing gratitude can be challenging when life is hard, but your health and well-being are important. Practicing gratitude is good for both.
If you’d like additional support, consider signing up for the Mayo Clinic’s Discover Gratitude Program.
This week, pause, take a breath,
and consider what or who
you have in your life
to be thankful for.
Let us know what comes up for you.
If you’d like support
creating a gratitude practice,
contact us today.
