“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
What if there was a solution so simple that involved nothing more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life? In fact, there is. That solution is called gratitude. Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health.
Who wouldn’t want to try it? To get started giving thanks, consider integrating some of the steps below into your daily life:
Focus Attention Outward:
Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. Research suggests that those who are more aware of the positive in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.
Be Mindful of What You Have:
You may assume that those with more material possessions have more to be grateful for. It’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the difference.
Keep a Gratitude Journal:
Recording what you feel grateful for in a journal is a great way to give thanks on a regular basis. Try listing five things on a daily basis that you’re thankful for and see how much more optimistic you find yourself!
Reframe Situations as Positive:
The next time you find yourself complaining about life’s hassles, see if you can mentally “flip the switch” to frame things differently. For example, rather than getting down about missing an opportunity, try to see the positive side about the situation.