Gratitude has ample positive effects on life

 

It changes lives. That is the incredible power of gratitude. Notice the Good. Always.

How do you practice gratitude? How exactly can you train your brain to choose a path of gratefulness? Especially if you’ve been negative for far too long.

It’s actually a simple answer: you look towards your authentic feelings. You accept your challenges and fears rather than turning away.

That might be a simple answer, but it’s also daunting, isn’t it?

You’ve got to start by acknowledging every emotion minus judgment.

Spending your energy on things that don’t go your way overshadows all the things in your daily life that bring you an appreciation for this life.

According to Robert Emmons, a UV Davis psychologist and a world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, contrasting present times with negative times in the past can make you feel happier and enhance your well-being.

Emmons teaches that an attitude of gratitude is vital, especially in times of crises. Gratitude builds up a sort of psychological immune system to cushion potential falls. It helps you gain a positive perspective as you cope with whatever challenges you may face.

 

Defeatist Club

If you belong to the defeatist club and are one for focusing on the negatives, it’s time to cancel that membership.

Maybe challenge yourself to a path of gratitude? Stop those negative patterns of thought and flip your life around with a positive way of thinking?

Why?

When you’re grateful about things, you’re not stuck in anxiety or fear. You’re happier. You’re healthier. You sleep better. You take action. You focus on what you can change now. Look backward only if you want to go backward.

Stressful situations seem less stressful. You can even recover quicker when there are blips.

Gratitude even makes you friendlier! Studies have found that people who regularly practice gratitude are more empathetic, kinder, and supportive.

Ready to get grateful?

Harnessing Your Gratitude Every Day

The same way you take time out for your workouts, to do the shopping, or even grab a coffee, I want you to dedicate a little time to develop an attitude of gratefulness. Here are a few steps to get you started.

1. Write It Down

Make the effort to write down 5 things you are grateful for every day. It can be anything, from being grateful for waking up on a sunny morning to getting that report in at work on time. Think of the simple things, like what brought you happiness today.

2. Stop Complaining

Set a new pattern for yourself by going one whole day without a single complaint. Go out of your way to find one good thing amongst a bunch of negative things and see how transformed and motivated you feel.

3. Be Direct with Your Gratitude

Pick someone who has positively influenced your life and give them a call or write them a letter. Thank them for inspiring you along your path.

Vary the Way You Express Gratitude

You don’t want your new ways to become a chore, so vary the ways in which you express your gratefulness. For instance, keep a journal one month and then the next month write to someone who has inspired you.

By shaking things up, you will continue to enhance your happiness and expand your path.

You’ve Got This

Some of the happiest people in the world come from the humblest of backgrounds. Yet, they’re grateful for what they have and they’re simply happy. Gratitude is really something any of us can do, no matter our situations, pasts, and circumstances.

Best of all, the brain is wired to reward gratitude. So, when you practice gratitude, it activates the brain’s reward center, leading you to look for more happiness. Gratitude releases serotonin and dopamine – those feel-good brain chemicals. The more you’re rewarded like this, the more you’re likely to continue on a path of gratitude, and the more reward you will gain.

I “can” and will.” Work on improving your self-doubt, get rid of vocabulary like “won’t” and can’t” and start changing your life for the better.

Gratitude has positive effects on your physical, mental, social, emotional, and psychological health.

What more reason do you need to start being grateful? Get started today.

Thank you for reading!

 

Follow me along my journey at marksalinas.com

 

 

Image: Pixabay