When asked “How are you?” we usually respond “Fine, thanks”. Why do we often mindlessly repeat this phrase but we forget to consciously give thanks for every-day miracles and for life itself? Today we’d like to ask you: how thankful are you from the heart?
Being thankful allows us to turn the ordinary into extraordinary and helps us not take for granted the wonder of the world, reminding us that every cloud has a silver lining and each new day is an opportunity to be amazed.
But aside from that, gratitude also stimulates our intellectual performance, helps us sleep better and protects our heart from cardiac disease. According to positive psychology, which investigates how we can improve our perception of wellbeing, gratitude journals can help reduce up to 25% of depression symptoms.
When we generate feelings of gratitude in our thoughts, we engage the brain’s reward system, responsible for pleasure sensations. When this section of our brain identifies that something good is happening, it releases dopamine.
That’s why people that manifest their gratitude on a daily basis keep high levels of positive emotions, satisfaction with their lives, vitality, optimism and hope for the short and long range.
Giving thanks also stimulates the production of oxytocin, reducing anxiety, fear and phobias, which means our brain is incapable of experiencing gratitude and anguish at the same time. Which of these two emotions do you choose to nurture on a daily basis?
How to cultivate gratitude?
1. Keep a gratitude journal
It’s one of psychology’s most successful strategies, as it allows us to step out of the “taking for granted” bubble and explore the endless list of factors that help us live. It also increases our chances of acknowledging fortunate incidents when they occur to us.
2. Set in motion gratefulness rituals
They don’t need to be big ceremonies! Just make the commitment with yourself to not begin eating without first giving thanks for your food, or set an alarm to give thanks each night for the day that just ended.
3. Enjoy the feeling of gratitude
Experience all of its benefits each time you give thanks. Doing it consciously multiplies its well-being effect.
4. Each week, give thanks to someone
Thank your spouse, mom, dad, sons, sisters or pets that have allowed a healthy coexistence. Everything from a clear communication to service acts can be a shared moment that warrants a thankful recognition.
5. Boost gratitude through kind words and gestures
To that coworker that solved your question, to the doorman that allowed safely you into your home or to the bus driver on the way to work today.
6. Write a letter
Don’t wait for Christmas, birthdays or Valentine’s to give thanks. Surprise your loved ones with a letter telling them why you’re thankful for having them in your life. You might be surprised at how good it feels!
7. Practice daily affirmations
These are short statements that you can repeat throughout the day, giving thanks to the World, to nature or even to yourself. How about “Thanks for the opportunity I have today to be a better person than I was yesterday”?
