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How To Practice Gratitude

How To Practice Gratitude

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jun 23, 2022 02:08 PM IST

How To Practice Gratitude: Gratitude is the act of expressing thanks for what one has. It is an acknowledgment of value that is not based on monetary worth. People can intentionally cultivate gratitude, according to studies, and there are significant personal and social benefits to doing so. It is possible to be grateful for family, friends, coworkers, pets, nature, and life in general.

How To Practice Gratitude
How To Practice Gratitude

Even among those who are already battling mental health issues, psychologists have discovered that feeling appreciative over time increases pleasure and promotes both physical and psychological wellness. According to Psychology Today, knowing what is gratitude and practicing gratitude reduces the use of words that express negative emotions and redirects inner attention away from negative emotions like anger and jealousy, reducing the risk of ruminating, which is a sign of mental illness.

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After knowing what is gratitude, let us now talk about some simple ways to practice gratitude.

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How To Practice Gratitude: Maintain A Gratitude Journal

The most common method of how to practice gratitude daily is by keeping a gratitude journal. Gratitude journaling is the practice of regularly recording and reflecting on things for which you are grateful. In essence, you're retraining your brain to concentrate more on the positive aspects of life while also increasing your resilience in the face of adversity. This is one of the most simple ways to practice gratitude. Gratitude journaling helps because it gradually alters our perceptions of situations by shifting our emphasis. Before going to bed, it's recommended that you write in a thankfulness diary. It will be simpler to remain consistent if you set a reminder or pair counting your blessings with another well-formed bedtime habit such as brushing your teeth.

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How To Practice Gratitude: Be Specific About Instances

One of the simple ways to practice gratitude is to be aware of the things for which you are grateful on a daily basis. While you may constantly be grateful for your wonderful family, just writing "I'm grateful for my family" on a weekly basis will not keep your mind alert for new grateful moments. "Today, my brother helped me complete my homework when he knew I was really stressed," or, "My buddy asked me over for lunch so I didn't have to be alone at home," are examples of specific instances. Being specific about the instances of thankfulness in the environment around you can significantly answer how to practice gratitude daily.

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How To Practice Gratitude: Find Gratitude In Challenges

Gratitude isn't just about being glad for good things. In fact, thinking about bad or challenging situations can sometimes help you pinpoint exactly what you have to be grateful for. Another reason to be grateful for challenging situations is that we can have a better understanding of the problem which can help us avoid making the same mistakes in the future. In such instances, the ideal questions to ask oneself are listed below:

  • What am I supposed to be learning?

  • What am I supposed to take out from this?

  • In what ways will this be advantageous to me?

  • What possibilities does this offer up?

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How To Practice Gratitude: Volunteer

Many people find that giving back to those in their community helps them feel more grateful. Not only would it make you more grateful for things you may overlook, but research has shown that volunteering to help others improve our own well-being, and hence our ability to be grateful. Martin Seligman discovered that volunteering is the one most reliable technique to temporarily raise your well-being after testing a variety of variables that assist us to improve our well-being. To put it another way, helping others helps you!

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How To Practice Gratitude: Learn To Express Gratitude

Our happiness is also determined by our interpersonal relationships. As a result, it makes sense to consider other individuals as we increase our gratitude. The benefits we receive will be enhanced if we focus our thanks on individuals rather than situations or material goods. You might write a letter of gratitude to someone who has influenced you but has never been properly recognised. Around the dinner table, you might also share your grateful experiences from the day. The following discussions may provide you with even more reasons for how to practice gratitude daily.

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How To Practice Gratitude: Pick Up A Fun Activity

So, if journaling isn't working for you, try out some new and simple ways to practice gratitude. Instead of keeping a gratitude journal, try making a gratitude jar. Whenever you have a heartfelt moment of thankfulness, jot it down on a slip of paper and place it in a jar. Empty the jar on New Year's Eve and go over everything you wrote. When something positive happens, you now say to yourself, "That's one for the appreciation jar!" It immediately elevates the significance of the occasion and keeps us on the hunt for more. You can also learn how to practice gratitude daily by reading books like- 365 Thank Yous, The Little Book Of Gratitude, Thanks A Thousand, etc.

The advantages of gratitude practice are nearly limitless. People who frequently practise gratitude by recognising and meditating on the things they're grateful for, report feeling more vibrant, starting to feel better, exhibiting more love and empathy, and having better physical health. And gratitude doesn't have to be limited to special occasions: Sure, you might be grateful for a career progression, but you can also be grateful for something as simple as a nice slice of the cake. According to UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons' research, merely keeping a gratitude journal and writing brief observations on occasions for which we are grateful can improve well-being and life satisfaction.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is gratitude?

Gratitude refers to the act of expressing thanks and the quality of being appreciative for what one has. One can be grateful for family, friends, coworkers, pets, nature, and life in general.

2. How is gratitude beneficial for those with mental health issues?

Even among those who are already battling mental health issues, psychologists have discovered that feeling appreciative over time increases pleasure and promotes both physical and psychological wellness.

3. What is gratitude journaling?

Gratitude journaling is the practice of regularly recording and reflecting on things for which you are grateful.

4. What are some popular books on gratitude?

365 Thank Yous, The Little Book Of Gratitude, Thanks A Thousand, etc.

5. What are the benefits of practicing gratitude?

People who consistently practice gratitude by noticing and reflecting on the things they're grateful for report feeling more alive, sleeping better, expressing more compassion and kindness, and even having stronger immune systems.

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