tips and tricks to feel grateful...now!

Gratitude can be tough. Waking up with a smile on your face and feeling ready to take on the day? Well it is often easier said than done. There is a reason for this. Stress and anxiety have a way of taking over. In fact, chronic stress is becoming more and more common – and it can affect our overall health. That is why it is important to take a deep breath, de-stress, and remember to be grateful. Having a little gratitude for the big and little things can put everything into perspective. 

Are you ready to give gratitude a try? With a new season on the horizon, this is the perfect time to focus on renewal and self-discovery. To find a way to look on the bright side and feel blessed. Here are a few easy ways to feel grateful today....

Write It Down

It is amazing how cluttered our minds get. On a bad day, it seems every thought is negative. That is why putting things in writing is so great. It helps you change your perspective. Take a piece of paper and a pen and jot down five to ten things that you are grateful for in this moment. It could be the fact that the sun is shining, that you were considered for a promotion, or that you took time to give yourself an at-home spa day. Anything you can think of! Writing them down will make you feel positive and even more grateful for the wonderful things in your life.

Take a Moment For Yourself

Life can get pretty busy sometimes. Often we are so focused on getting things done that we lose sight of ourselves. That in turn leads to feelings of stress and frustration. The key is to give yourself small moments of gratitude. Do you feel overwhelmed? Tired? Unhappy? Find a spot where you can be alone and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and repeat a mantra in your head. It could be something like, I am grateful for opportunities or I am healthy and strong or even I am grateful for this moment of peace. Think of something that speaks to your needs. 

Create Positive Interactions

Other people can impact our day-to-day lives – in both good and bad ways. So, why not start things off on the right foot? Do what you can to create positive interactions. Say hello to a passer-by on the street, smile at a stranger, ask your co-worker about their weekend, send a thank you note to a friend for no reason at all, or call a family member and catch up. Chances are, the people you come in contact with will appreciate your intentions. And that positivity will make you feel a whole lot better.

We have all been there. Some days it seems like nothing is going your way. Turn it all around with some positive thinking, a friendly attitude, and a grateful heart. Once you stop and realize just how many blessings you have in your life, everything will seem a little bit easier. Smile…life is good.

How do you focus on gratitude?

xo Shannon