How to Practice Gratitude

by aleah goodman

In the midst of the holiday season, especially during Thanksgiving, everyone is expected to be thankful and grateful for all the good things in our lives. However, not many of us make space in our lives for appreciative thoughts and actions. ​

And for those who do, it often feels like the thankfulness is artificial, and has been forced by family members or teachers who constantly bombard us with the “What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?”. Although the concept of gratitude imposed on us by others is not especially exciting, gratitude is a very important aspect of life when you make the choice to do it yourself, and practice it often. The many benefits of practicing everyday gratitude include:

1. Increasing happiness
2. Providing a positive outlook on life
3. Reduced stress, unhappiness, and negativity
4. Reduces materialism 
5. Helps strengthen relationships with friends and family
6. Helps you to be kinder to others and kinder to yourself

So, with all the benefits that gratitude brings, why doesn’t everyone practice gratitude? Many people want to start practicing gratitude because of its benefits, but believe that stressors such as work, school, or a lack of time will not allow them to do so. However, practicing gratitude is simple and takes little time. Here are some easy ways you can incorporate thankfulness and gratitude into your daily life:

1. Focus on the little things: Before you go to bed, write down 2 good things that happened to you throughout your day. They can be as small as getting to school on time or seeing the sun set. When you are feeling down, you can look at your list of good things and be appreciative for all the positive aspects of your life. 
2. Tell someone you are thankful for them: Make an effort to say at least one nice thing to someone each day. For example, you could text a friend reminding them of how much you appreciate them. Another method of which you can do this is through notes. On a post-it note, write some kind words to someone your appreciate (family member, friend, etc) and leave it where they can find it to remind them of your gratitude. 
3. Take a step back: Make time to be present and in the moment every day. Some ways you can do this are through: turning off your phone for an hour, hanging out with friends, spending time in nature, doing a hobby that makes you happy. When you take time to do things that you enjoy and that fulfill you, it is easier to feel thankful.

Overall, no matter how much time you spend practicing gratitude or how you do it, by incorporating it into your life, you will be able to be happier and more content.

References
Davis, T. (2017, November 16th). Five Ways to Practice Gratitude. Psychology Today.  Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201711/five-ways-practice-gratitude.

Seppala, E. (2014, June 17th). 13 Ways Gratitude Will Significantly Improve Your Life.  Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201406/13-ways-gratitude-will-significantly-improve-your-life.

Aleah Goodman, BHSEC Queens
Staff Writer

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