Start by being grateful

There is science behind why you need to start being grateful every day. Let me explain why.

I am talking about the daily practice of ‘gratitude’. The benefits are mental, physical, emotional and all flow into your professional and personal life. So here is why:

Increased feelings of happiness and well-being: Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude have higher levels of positive emotions, such as joy and contentment, which can lead to increased overall life satisfaction.

1. Improved physical and mental health: Research has shown that gratitude can improve physical health by reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving sleep. Additionally, gratitude has been shown to improve mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, while increasing self-esteem and resilience.
2. Stronger relationships and social connections: Expressing gratitude can improve relationships by increasing feelings of connection and trust, while decreasing feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
3. Increased resilience and ability to cope with stress: Those who practice gratitude have been shown to have greater ability to cope with stressors, such as traumatic events, and bounce back more quickly from difficult situations.
4. Improved self-esteem and self-worth: Gratitude has been shown to increase feelings of self-worth, self-esteem, and positive self-regard.
5. Increased generosity and willingness to help others: Research has shown that gratitude can increase feelings of generosity and a willingness to help others, leading to stronger social connections and a greater sense of purpose.

Practicing gratitude activates the release of neurotransmitters that are responsible for our positive emotions, such as dopamine and serotonin, it also activates the regions in our brain that are related to social cognition, motivation, and emotion regulation.

SO…..How do you begin?

1. Keeping a gratitude journal: Writing down 3-5 things you’re grateful for each day can help focus your attention on the positive aspects of your life.
2. Reflecting on the day: Take a few minutes at the end of each day to think about what you’re grateful for.
3. Starting the day with gratitude: Take a few minutes in the morning to set the tone for the day by focusing on what you’re grateful for. This can be when you would normally watch the news, read e-mails or have your coffee.
4. Performing small acts of kindness: Helping others can make you feel good and cultivate a sense of gratitude.

Remember that gratitude practices are not about perfection, it’s about the process and the effort, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a day or two.