Every Day Gratitude
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s take a moment to discuss gratitude.
Studies have shown that people who live with a sense of gratitude tend to be happier, form healthier relationships, and maintain better mental and physical health overall. Showing gratitude can promote better sleep, enhance self-esteem, decrease aches and pains, and even aid in overcoming trauma. When we feel grateful, we can't help but feel more peaceful and satisfied in life.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to express gratitude:
✍️ Write It Down – Keep a gratitude journal, send a “thank you” note, or take time each week to list a few things you feel grateful for.
🎨 Share Talents – Art, music and words can bring so much joy to others. Creativity and gratitude are both great tools for our health and well-being. Look for ways to combine these acts, and consider creating something for a friend or family member.
🎉 Share Joy – Celebrate the accomplishments and joys of your friends and family as if they are your own.
👏🏼 Provide Encouragement – Take a moment to check in with friends and family and be a voice of encouragement. Our words are powerful.
🧘🏽 Meditate – Check out this Supported Chest Opener for Gratitude, adapted from Yoga Journal:
Lie on your back with a thickly rolled-up blanket under your spine and directly under the shoulder blades. Place a small pillow under your head, for support. You can keep your knees bent with your feet flat on the floor or straighten your legs. Bring your arms away from the sides of your body, palms facing up, to make a “T”.
Pay attention to your breath: Allow your head, neck, and collar bones to relax as your upper back and chest open. Breathe deeply through your diaphragm, and feel your ribs expand. Exhale. As you relax into this chest-opening pose, quiet your mind and focus on your breath.
Practicing gratitude is important every day, not just around the holidays. Check out our health coaching services to learn more about how you can incorporate gratitude practices into your daily life.
