Why Should We Practice Gratitude?
Plainly, gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. When we begin to practice gratitude for ourselves, it has the natural effect of uplifting others and continues on in a majestic cycle of appreciation promoting even more to be grateful for.
When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel ‘good’. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy from the inside.
~ Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury
We can also answer this question simply with, because we ourselves want to know that we are appreciated – the Golden Rule of treating others how you want to be treated.
5 Ways to Start Practicing Gratitude
In today’s world where it can feel that there are more problems than solutions, and the stress of everyday life can feel like it outweighs serenity, it can be difficult to find things to be grateful for.
1) Acknowledge the bad and search relentlessly for the good
This one may require some serious inquiry. It’s certainly not always easy to find the good when you lose a job, or a loved one passes away. In these cases, trust that the good will reveal itself.
2) Slow down and pay attention
When we are constantly on the go, which had become very common before the COVID pandemic cast its shroud over the world, sending most people home from work and school and shutting their doors behind them. For many, this provided them with an opportunity to slow down and pay attention to the things that they may have previously gone unnoticed. Things like, the way the sun sparkles through the window at dusk, or the smell of fresh laundry.
3) Don’t discount the little things
It tends to be easier to find the “big” things to be grateful for, like luxury cars, high paying jobs, or lavish vacations. It may take a bit more intentional focus, but the “little” things are equally as important.
4) Shift thoughts of “I have to” to “I get to”
Our calendars are plagued with things that we “have” to do. We have to go grocery shopping, have to go to work, have to take the kids somewhere…but what if we shifted the narrative to “I get to”?
I get to go grocery shopping, because I’m fortunate enough to be able to provide food to myself and my family.
I get to go to work, because I’m lucky enough to have a job that pays for the needs of myself and my family.
I get to take my children wherever they need to go, because they are healthy enough to be able to partake in whatever activity you are bringing them to.
We get to do so many things that we often take for granted – the little things that we don’t always recognize as blessings, and color them as curses.
5) Allow yourself space to feel your emotions wholly and process them
Life is unpredictable, and we will undoubtedly face circumstances that were unplanned and unwanted. Practicing gratitude does not mean that we don’t feel less than positive emotions. If you are sad or angry, let yourself be sad or angry. Cry it out. Scream into your pillow. Whatever your soul is calling for in order to release that energy, do it.
Then take a deep breath, and let it go – even just a little. Allow yourself the kindness and the space to cycle through those feelings in a healthy way. Your body will thank you for not carrying unnecessary stress and your mind will thank you for the release.
Good luck – stay Grateful.
