What if I told you that for just a few minutes a day, you could do something that would make you feel happier, and more alive than ever? What if I told you that small task is something we very often take for granted. I’m talking about gratitude, of course. Now you might think to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Well that’s easy. We spend so much of our lives complaining about what we want to change, that we completely look over the small details of our daily lives that make life worth living.
Somewhere in the midst of all the gray, there’s a silver lining in the clouds. It’s the light that shines through and tells you the sun will come out eventually, even if there’s a storm happening right now.
Believe it or not, there’s a science to remembering to be grateful for something every day. Psychologist Robert Emmons from the University of California, Davis says keeping a gratitude journal can improve overall life satisfaction. What’s so wonderful about the practice of gratitude is that there’s so many ways you can do it. In fact, that fact that gratitude knows no bounds makes it easier. You don’t have to find some huge reason or explanation for feeling joy. It can be as miniscule as writing down that you got to eat your favorite food today, or that you were able to finish all of the tasks on your to-do list. This is important because if it works for the average Joe, imagine what it can do for people who really struggle to find purpose in their daily lives, such as someone suffering from depression, for instance. I’d like to note that for anyone suffering from a clinical disorder should go and find the help you need with a clinician. There’s no shame in the self-help game and gratitude, while not the main solution, is a great addition to anyone’s journey of recovery.
So what are some tips to make it fun each and every day? As well know, the monotony of routine can bore some people so here’s some light advice to make the experience even better.
Mix it up!
- Journaling isn’t the only option you have when it comes to showing gratitude every day. The sky’s the limit. You can have a corkboard that you pin pictures and saying to. You can draw or paint what you’re grateful for. It’s up to you and the lengths to which your own creativity can take you.
Don’t keep it to yourself!
- Share your gratitude with others. One of the best ways to cement something in your mind is to say it out loud. Don’t be shy about your gratitude; share it with everyone around you, especially people you are grateful for.
Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground!
- Remaining optimistic about life even in troubling moments is an admirable trait. However, bad things happen in our lives sometimes that are out of our control. And that’s okay, because it’s only human to feel negative emotions and suppressing our sadness or anger to mask it with fake happiness isn’t healthy. Allow yourself to mourn during the bad times, allow yourself to feel. Then, be grateful that you were able to get back up and find happiness again.
Imagine a society that holds true to these values. Imagine a world where all children are taught they can accomplish anything.
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