GRATITUDE: MAKE IT A DAILY, LIFE-CHANGING HABIT

November 17, 2019 by Renee Tavoularis

Reprinted with permission from Be Well by Dr. Frank Lipman.

The holiday season is a time of family gatherings, lots of food, gift giving, and giving thanks for special moments and memories. It’s easy to forget that gratitude isn’t just a once-a-year opportunity, though. It’s a game-changing habit that, when practiced daily, can have a huge impact on your physical and mental well-being. 

Simply choosing 5 minutes a day to sit quietly and express gratitude boosts mood, decreases stress, and improves overall outlook on life. Write 10 things or write 100 things. The number isn’t important, but, the practice is key to experiencing the impact. Give it a try, morning or night – Use these habit-building tools to truly make giving gratitude a lifelong habit and see how the shifts begin to take shape.

4 WAYS TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE DAILY 

SCHEDULE IT:

Yes, set it in your calendar. Just 5 minutes will do. Make sure it’s a consistent time where you have little to no distraction. 

WRITE IT DOWN:

You can even get creative and share your gratitude with others. Write a letter of gratitude once a week to a friend, family member, or loved one and tell them how much they mean to you. Or give them a call and tell them over the phone. You’ll be amazed at how much a simple act of kindness like that can brighten someone’s day, while also uplifting your heart. It’s a free, priceless gift that keeps giving. 

THE WHY STATEMENT:

Develop a powerful “why statement” to give the habit real meaning in your life. We make time for the things that are of most value to us, so write down that one sentence for why you choose to practice gratitude daily and return to it as needed if challenges arise.

THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT:

Choose the form of carrying out the practice that lights you up. There are no shoulds with a gratitude habit.  Whether you prefer quiet time first thing in the morning or right before lights out as a way of decompressing and appreciating the day, make it fit you and make it fun.
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