7 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude & How to Create an Attitude of Gratitude Daily

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“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
Charles Swindoll

I love this quote by Charles Swindoll. We might not get to choose what life throws at us, but we do get to choose how we react to it. Over the years I’ve learned that choosing to be be grateful can change everything- literally. And after the year we all just had, I know I personally needed the reminder to shift my focus and to create an attitude of gratitude. Why is it important to practice gratitude? Well, here are seven benefits of practicing gratitude and five ways to create an attitude of gratitude!

7 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude

1. Gratitude improves your physical health :: Science proves grateful people literally experience fewer aches and pains than other people.
2. Grateful people sleep better :: I like to start my day by stating 3 things I am thankful for that day. Studies show that spending 15 minutes writing down or focusing on what you are thankful for before bed can help you sleep better and longer!
3. Gratitude improves self-esteem :: Being grateful helps you to focus on your own blessings and helps reduce social comparisons. Grateful people are able to appreciate other’s accomplishments without diminishing their own.
4. Gratitude reduces stress :: People who focus on what they are grateful for are generally happier and more satisfied in life. Studies show grateful people tend to be less anxious.
5. Gratitude makes you happier & more optimistic :: Apparently spending 5 minutes a day focusing on what you are thankful for can increase your long-term well-being by over 10%! It is said if we view our current life as good, we will believe our future has potential for more good!
6. Gratitude helps you make friends :: Gratitude makes people nicer, more social, and more appreciative. This helps strengthen existing relationships and helps you make more friends.
7. Gratitude helps boost your career :: One study showed gratitude makes you a more effective leader, helps you network, increases productivity, increases your decision making ability, and helps you find mentors.

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5 Ways to Create an Attitude of Gratitude

1. Write it down :: Take 2-5 minutes each morning or night {or both} to write down what you are thankful for. You can either write it in a journal like this or even on your phone. Writing down what you are thankful for can literally help change your perspective over time. Try it for 30 days and see how you feel!
2. Talk about it :: Make it a habit to talk about what you are thankful for- from health to family to sunshine. Big or small. And make sure you tell others you are grateful for them!
3. 3 for 1 :: When something negative happens around you, use that as a trigger to think of three things you are thankful for- at that moment. When I worked in corporate I worked closely with someone who was extremely negative. I made it a game that every time she said one negative thing out loud, I would find a way to incorporate three positive things into our conversation over the next 5 minutes. It helped SO much! Now when my kids throw a temper tantrum, I use that as a trigger to think of 3 things I am grateful for.
4. Live in the present :: I’m a dreamer & sometimes struggle to live in the present. Choose to be present and be grateful for each moment. You will never get to live this exact day again.
5. Celebrate little things :: Find little things to celebrate each day. Even small, seemingly insignificant moments deserve to be celebrated. Pause for a moment and savor the small things.

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How do you practice creating an attitude of gratitude?