Practising Gratitude
Even though Thanksgiving is an American holiday, it’s a wonderful act of gratitude that I teach my students and clients to do on a daily basis. Particularly for those struggling to shift negativity.
When our attention is constantly focused on the annoying, uphappy, challenging, upsetting or just plain hard aspects of our lives, negative thoughts can consume us.
This constant worry and stress can perpetuate feelings of helplessness, depression and anxiety – particularly leading towards Christmas time.
In this state of mental stress and tension it’s all too easy to forget that whatever it is, it will pass in time.
In the meantime, we have so many wonderful people and things in our lives that can help support us through it – if we only acknowledged them.
Being thankful (showing gratitude) is a wonderful tool for shifting our perspective, and it’s scientifically proven to improve our health.
Our thoughts are powerful and can change the physiology and health of our cells. So by changing the focus onto positive aspects of our lives, especially in difficult times, it assists us to move through them with greater confidence, more resilience and less stress or potential ill health.
It’s like declaring that, “Despite all the horrible things that might be going on around me at the moment, I accept this as a part of the journey right now and I am thankful for this challenge. Because at the end of the day I still have all these other wonderful and fantastic things in my life that help sustain me through these times“.
Consider some of the things that you often take for granted and completely ignore or forget about in times of stress or worry…..
Here are a few things to be thankful for: health, family, friends; a home, a job, food; the air in my lungs, the cells in my body, the awareness to choose, my hearing, my vision, the ability to read and write, my laptop, this blog, my cat/dog/horse etc…..
There are SO many things to be thankful for!
Starting a daily gratitude journal is a very quick, powerful and present way to live every moment of your life.
Taking a few minutes to actually acknowledge, write down and reflect upon the beautiful and happy blessings that you do have in your life, helps put life into perspective: these things will pass but I am always loved, safe and supported.
Being grateful, or giving thanks, is a positive and immediate shift in your mental, physical and emotional state.
Here are some tips to get started, but you can also start right now!
- Take a few minutes in the morning, either in meditation or simply a few deep breaths over your paper or wake-up cuppa. Think about what is good in your life: what you appreciate having, knowing or being able to do.
- Take a few moments throughout your day to write down what you’re grateful for when you think of it, perhaps stick it up around your office or work area to catch your eye and reaffirm it when needed.
- Take a few minutes before bedtime to wind down from your day, let go of the unnecessary worries or thoughts that were weighing on your mind, and refocus your attention onto what you are grateful and thankful for in your life. The day is done, tomorrow is a new opportunity. Be grateful, then go to sleep with a less worried mind and a more peaceful and happy one.
A GRATEFUL HEART IS A HAPPY HEART!
Love
Viki xo
