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Be grateful for what you have!
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Theres also some evidence that gratitude is associated with lower blood pressure and bettersleep quality.
Start by thinking about gratitude just once a day.
The easiest way to build this into your life?
Tap into gratitude while youre completing a chore or routine that you do daily.
That way, it becomes habitualplus, no need to rearrange your day.
You might use ones like your health, yourspouse, oryour petover and over again.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Tell people thank you, verbally or in writing.
In other words, dont just say, Appreciate it and call it a day.
Instead, address the person by their name and describe what they did.
I know it was a bit annoying and I really appreciate you making my life easier.
We feel more warm, [and] the other person feels more recognized and validated.
Remember that practicing gratitude includes embracing the negatives too.
Counting your blessings doesnt mean downplaying the very real bad things going on in your life.
Gratitude isnt about ignoring the negatives.
Its not the same thing astoxic positivity, Dr. Santos clarifies.
Take a couple of minutes to enjoy a mindful walk.
Lets say journaling or writing thank you letters dont feel quite like you.
Stare at the trees.
Smell those blooming flowers.
Walk around your backyard barefoot.
Reframe painful events to focus on how youll grow from them.
Being thankful is easy when everything in your life is seemingly going swell.
But what about when chaos ensues and youre having a reallyhard time?
Perhaps youregrieving the death of a loved oneand giving thanks is the last thing on your mind.
In times ofhigh stress and anxietywhen a journal entry simply wont doDr.
Of course, this isnt easy to do either, and usually comes more naturally to long-time gratitude practitioners.
Keep at itit gets easier.