Practicing gratitude on a daily basis is a great habit to begin. Being grateful consistently throughout the day can help overcome the toxic factors of day to day life. When practicing gratitude, you begin to feel happier and stronger, protecting yourself against negative emotions.
When you practice gratitude, you begin appreciating the little things more often, but it can have other positive impacts on your day, too. People who practice gratitude regularly are often found to be happier, more productive, more active and more optimistic. Training your mind to be grateful can bring amazing benefits to your life, so it is a great practice to incorporate for your daily life.
If you’re looking for ways to practice gratitude every day, keep reading for the best ways to get started.
Keep a gratitude journal daily
One of the simplest methods of practicing gratitude, writing in a gratitude journal daily is a great way to remind yourself of the things you appreciate, big or small. Set a certain number of things to write daily, then remember to log them either every morning or night, setting the tone for the day.
Spend more time outside
When we are constantly surrounded by technology, it can be difficult to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. To practice gratitude on a deeper level, try spending about half an hour outside every day, taking note of the colors, greenery, and other factors you might not notice on a daily basis.
Consume gratitude-focused content
If you find yourself being surrounded by negativity, take the time to plug yourself into positive, uplifting content. This can be accomplished by watching Youtube videos, listening to podcasts, or consuming other types of material that encourages you to be more grateful and positive.
Pour into others
One of the best ways to practice gratitude is to see it in others. When you regularly do acts of kindness for others, without seeking recognition for your actions, you see the light you bring to others’ lives. This can be done by cooking or baking for a close friend or coworker, volunteering at a local shelter, adopting a family for the holidays, or even picking up the phone to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
Practice mindfulness
If you need a physical way to practice gratitude, find a quiet space where you can explore your thoughts in peace. Whether through yoga, meditation, prayer or other practices, use this time to sit in silence, or slow movements, and consider the things you appreciate.
Say “thank you” more often
A simple “thank you” can make someone’s day. Especially for those working in customer service, it sadly is not uncommon for people to forget their manners. After you receive help, whether in a store or with someone you know well, remember to thank someone for what they’ve done for you. Letting people know you appreciate and value them feeds their soul with love and can encourage them to do the same.
Create a vision board
One of the best ways to remind yourself of things you can be grateful for is to surround yourself with physical reminders. To create a vision board, simply print out pictures of people and things you’re grateful for, adding in little trinkets you associate with gratitude, too. Tape these directly to your wall or pin them to a board, making it one of the first things you see each day.
Practicing gratitude is a key step to better living, so use these tips to start practicing gratitude every single day!
