Ways to Show Gratitude In Your Daily Life
If you feel like something is missing in life and can't quite put your finger on it, it could be a lack of gratitude. Studies show giving thanks and counting blessings can help people sleep better, lower stress, and improve relationships. The act of gratitude enables you to reconnect with a positive mindset and can also lead to feelings of fulfillment. Despite how easy it sounds, showing gratitude often falls to the wayside when we're busy or feeling down. So how exactly do you do it, and why does it matter? Here are some ways to get started and show gratitude on a daily basis.
Write It Down
Writing down what you're grateful for is one of the easiest and most popular ways to strengthen your gratitude muscle. Dedicate some time to jot down what you're thankful for, whether big or small. You can use a gratitude journal or turn to your daily planner for an easy way to quickly show gratitude whenever it crosses your path.
Give Back to Others
Why not show gratitude by giving back with charitable acts or volunteering? Offering your time is great for your community and your overall well-being. Studies show that volunteering can increase the brain area that functions as part of the reward system. You'll end up feeling amazing after sharing your gratitude through an act of thoughtful service.
Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Showing more gratitude in your life doesn't have to take up much time or effort. Focus on practicing random acts of kindness to brighten someone's day or lend a helping hand. Whether you let the person behind you go first in the grocery line or buy a cup of coffee for someone, make it a regular practice to show your gratitude through kindness.
Say Thank You
How often do you say thank you and really mean it? Show heartfelt gratitude when someone brings you your lunch order, when the FedEx driver brings a package to your door and when someone says "bless you" when you sneeze. Showing gratitude can also be as simple as sending a warm, heartfelt thank you letter detailing what someone's gesture meant to you. Keep track of all of your thank you's with our Thank You Keeper Notepad to show others how much you appreciate them.
Become an Active Listener
Active listening is a celebrated trait of some of our most beloved friends, colleagues, leaders, and anyone you cross paths with. Active listeners are engaged in conversation and often paraphrase and reflect on what was said without judgment or advice. Active listening isn't always easy but makes others feel heard and incredibly appreciated. Simply making eye contact, nodding in affirmation, and giving brief affirmations, including "I see what you mean," goes a long way with active listening.
Give a Sincere Compliment
Giving compliments can make others feel good and attract them to you, but they're also a sign of gratitude. Offer a sincere, heartfelt compliment that makes someone feel understood or appreciated. You can also express your appreciation with a compliment by saying, "I love how generous you are with your time and helped me with that problem. Your insights are invaluable, and your warmth is so inviting!"
Send a Thoughtful Gift
A gift doesn't need to be grand or expensive, but serve as a thoughtful gesture. Sending a gift is a tangible way to tell someone you appreciate them and are grateful for their friendship or service. Think about what that person values and their interests to show them you're listening and are thankful for their presence in your life.
Embrace Challenges
Challenges can be difficult and debilitating but are also be an opportunity to show gratitude. After all, challenges help shape and form who we are and where we end up in life. You can express gratitude for your challenges and still feel their gravity and difficulty. Talk to a friend or write down your thoughts in your gratitude journal. "Just because I injured my leg and can't jog doesn't mean I can't grow stronger. I'm grateful for the challenge to find new ways to stay fit and nurture my mental health." Work on embracing gratitude during unexpected and challenging moments to create a more positive mindset.
Ready to show gratitude in your life? Start now. Reach out to someone with a thank you note or schedule time to reflect on what you're grateful for and watch your mindset and well-being flourish.