Sadly, most of us do not always naturally exhibit thankfulness. Although most people have a general notion of what thankfulness is, very few actually take the time to learn about, consider, and put it into practice.
But if you do, you'll discover that it can enhance your life and assist you in achieving your objectives while bringing you greater joy and happiness, pandemic or not.
Why Show Gratitude?
There are numerous ways to define gratitude. (This may be one of the causes for why most people just have hazy notions of what it actually is.)
However, in its purest form, thankfulness simply refers to a feeling of intense appreciation for something positive or worthwhile in your life.
The majority of individuals can relate to this great emotion of gratitude and thankfulness for a nice gift you received, whether it was material or intangible.
Genuine thankfulness, though, goes beyond merely feeling good about what you've been given; it has the power to change your life. It is more comprehensive and takes a closer look at who you are and where you fit in the world.
One of the foremost authorities on the science of gratitude, Robert Emmons, asserts that in order to be truly grateful, two conditions must be met:
- acknowledging a positive experience or gift you've had
- knowing that this source of goodness is not just within you (e.g. another person, higher power, etc.)
Your thankfulness is amplified and has the ability to change your life when these two conditions are met.
The Benefits of Gratitude: Why They Are Numerous
Gratitude on its own already has a positive impact on both the giver and the recipient.
Gratitude, however, encompasses more than just the pleasant feelings it brings about right now. Regular appreciation practice has a number of additional advantages that can improve other areas of your life.
Regular expressions of thankfulness have been demonstrated to:
- Reduce stress, promote mental health
- Boost your happiness and joy
- increases one's sense of self
- Boost your immunity
- lower blood pressure
- make you feel more alive
- Boost your social network
- Develop your resilience
- Develop compassion for both yourself and others.
And all of these advantages lead us to the greatest advantage and significance of practicing gratitude, particularly in these trying times:
Your overall well-being can be enhanced through gratitude.
No matter what you're experiencing or feeling, by honestly practicing thankfulness, you may find and cultivate real positivity in your life.
Furthermore, if you allow it, this force is strong enough to alter your life.
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Steps for Beginning Gratitude Practice
Don't be concerned if you haven't previously demonstrated thankfulness. The habit of gratitude can be formed in a variety of quick and easy ways.
Consider these suggestions:
- Create a thankfulness diary. Keeping a gratitude journal is a simple method to track your blessings and better understand them. List down at least three things, no matter how minor or significant, for which you are grateful each day. It is best to do this at the end of the day. You'll begin to see more clearly as you practice that, despite any difficulties you may be facing, you have many things in your life for which to be grateful.
- Thank you letter writing To express your gratitude for something someone did for you, but for which you were unable to previously do so, write them a letter. Spend some time delivering your letter to them personally and be sure to express your sincere gratitude in it. (If delivering the letter in person is not possible, perhaps arrange a phone or video conference in its place.)
- Make a thankfulness jar. Choose an empty jar and embellish it however you like. Write down three things each day for which you are grateful on a sheet of paper. Place the piece of paper in your appreciation jar after folding or rolling it up. Watch how your jar fills up by doing this each day. (A further benefit is that reading your thankfulness journal when you're feeling particularly down might cheer you up.)
