Gratitude

​We have all heard that the key to happiness is gratitude, right?!  I recently was having a stressful month and had a lot of anxiety in every area of my life! I reached out to a good friend and she said, “Take a deep breath and start writing down what you are grateful for and WHY you are grateful for it!”   Sometimes when we are so stressed out, it’s hard to take a second and remember what we are grateful for.  I knew this is what I should be doing, and I was grateful that she reminded me how important it was!

Photo credit: www.facebook.com/montereybayholistic

Why is this practice of expressing gratitude so important?  
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It’s simple, Gratitude = Happiness! We all want happiness in our lives, right?! Below are three proven psychology exercises that increase happiness levels, providing results just after one week.  Try all three exercises and notice how they affect your mindset, and ultimately, your actions.

Three Blessings

1. Before you go to bed, write down three good things that happened during the day.
2. Then, write down why each of them happened.
3. Think about the impact these positive events had on your day. How would your day have gone if they didn’t happen?
4. Identify three strategies for continuing to live in a state of thankfulness, manifesting more positivity and improvement.
5. Write down each time something good happens, or actions you take to make a bad situation good.

Gratitude Visit

1. Think of someone who has done something important for you who you’ve never properly thanked.
   
2. In a letter, write down exactly what they did and the specific effect it had on your life. Be specific. 
   
3. Write and rewrite it multiple times. Make it powerful and concise. 
   
4. Handwrite the letter or use calligraphy – be creative. 
   
5. Meet the person face to face, and read them the letter.  Don’t forget to bring the tissues – the tears may flow!

Use Your Strengths in New Ways

1. Review the list of 24 strengths below.
   
2. Think of ways you already use your signature strengths. 
   
3. Brainstorm ways you can use them even more, writing down specific actions you can take. 
   
4. Commit to using your strengths in new ways this week. 
   
5. Carry a small notebook with you and write down each time you complete an action that utilizes your signature strengths.  Share with a friend.

Adapted from: www.authentichappiness.com and Integrative Nutrition, Inc.

​A favorite family gratitude activity that we started is a gratitude chain! Teaching kids at a young age to express their gratitude is so important. We usually do this project in November but why not do one every month? We cut out leaf shapes and every day we write down what we are thankful for. We then tie the leaves to a string and love watching our chain grow throughout the month. You could also use a poster board or large sheet of paper and every day each family member writes what they are thankful for.  

Another simple idea is just writing down 5 things that you grateful for. You could write them in a journal, type or write them into your calendar or in a daily notebook. Just try it for a month and see the positive changes that will take place!
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Why not start today?! What are you grateful for?