What Is Gratitude and How to Practice It?

WHAT IS GRATITUDE AND HOW TO PRACTICE IT?
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What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is defined as being kind, thankful, and appreciative of someone or something. But how can you be grateful when you’re struggling with mental illness or when life is hard? 

Science Behind Gratitude

science behind gratitude

When you’re grateful for what you have, it reinforces your positive thoughts and makes you feel happier, and brings more happiness to those around you. 

The “feel good” hormones released when we experience gratitude are dopamine and serotonin. These hormones are responsible for those warm, fuzzy feelings associated with joy and happiness.

When you focus on the positive aspects of your life, instead of dwelling upon the negatives (which can be an easy thing to do!), you’ll feel better about yourself. Not to mention, practicing gratitude will help you become a happier person and in turn, make others around you feel more fulfilled.

The Effects of Gratitude on the Body

The Effects of Gratitude on the Body

When we experience an emotion such as gratitude, it releases hormones into our bodies that affect our health.

The feeling of gratitude can affect our bodies by reducing stress, improving sleep, and boosting our immune system. That is all thanks to a group of hormones called “stress hormones.” These hormones are crucial for survival when we’re under attack or need to flee from danger.

Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain.

Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain

Gratitude is good for your brain and has lasting effects on the brain, and improves mood. In addition, the feeling of gratitude helps us appreciate what we already have rather than focus on what we don’t.

It also takes our minds off any potential stressors or worries that we might currently deal with. Finally, gratitude is beneficial because it improves our health physically and mentally – making this a practice worth incorporating into your life!

Gratitude sets us free from toxic emotions.

Gratitude sets us free from toxic emotions

Gratitude sets us free from toxic emotions and negative thoughts, allowing us to be more at peace with ourselves and others. Embrace this powerful tool as an antidote to living in a world of toxicity!

Gratitude helps you be happier. A grateful attitude can improve your mood. The practice of gratitude has been shown to strengthen mental health qualities like depression, stress, and irritability.

Gratitude benefits everyone, not just those who share it.

Practicing gratitude can have a positive effect on the quality of your life and those around you because gratitude benefits everyone, not just those who share it. In addition, gratitude builds character- it makes you happy, forgiving, and compassionate.

Gratitude is more about showing appreciation for the little things in life and acknowledging how lucky we are to be surrounded by them. Gratitude can change your life, along with those around you.

How to Practice Gratitude?

Developing a daily gratitude practice is not always easy, but it’s possible with some conscious effort and intentionality!

Keep a Gratitude Journal 

Keep a Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a daily fulfillment of what you are grateful for. It can be used as a tool to improve your mental health and well-being by practicing gratitude daily.

There are many ways to use your gratitude journal. For example, you can list what went well that day, what made you happy, or any other joyous event.

You could also use it to record helpful tips for yourself when you’re feeling stuck in life or need help finding happiness again. All of these benefits make keeping a gratitude journal one of the most powerful tools for mental health and wellness!

Recommended Journals:

Gratitude Journal
Thankful Thoughts Journal

Notice the beauty in nature every day to boost your mood

nature gratitude quotes

One of the simplest ways to practice gratitude is to simply take time every day to notice the beauty in nature around you. Take a walk outside and enjoy what’s happening in your area! 

Say thank you to people verbally or write it in a letter.

thank you greeting card

No matter what age, it’s never too late to start practicing gratitude and building healthy relationships. Take this opportunity to mindfully say thank you to people around you and watch the world become a better place!

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