Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions and state of mind.
Research has shown that the habit of practicing gratitude will reduce anxiety, depression, stress and increase happiness, sleep, relationships and health.
And what’s really amazing is that everyone can practice gratitude (it’s free) and it does not take much time.
“Do not dream of possession of what you do not have: rather reflect on the greatest blessings in what you do have, and on their account remind yourself how much they would have been missed if they were not there.”
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius
3 Gratitude Exercises For Happiness
1) Morning Gratitude Ritual
When you wake up or when you drink your herbal tea (green tea or even coffee) contemplate for a few minutes and appreciate 3 things in your life you’re grateful about. Feel it in your heart and radiate that gratefulness out into the universe. Remember, what you focus on will increase and expand (attracting more things you can be grateful about).
2) The 3 Things You Take For Granted
Ask yourself: What is good in my life? What relationships, successes, behaviors or situations do I really enjoy and would not want to be without? What do I take for granted but don’t appreciate enough? Increase your awareness about what’s good in your life and anchor that gratitude in every cell of your body.
3) Write A Gratitude Journal
Writing down what you’re really grateful about is a powerful way to anchor that state of mind into your beingness. Researcher Robert Emmons confirmed with his research that after ten weeks participants in the gratitude condition felt better about their lives as a whole and were more optimistic. Participants were over 25% happier, spent more time exercising and reported fewer health complaints than those in the control group.
Practicing gratitude works!
But like all Lifestyle Prescriptions® you have to practice and establish a “gratitude habit” in your life. Just reading this article or thinking about it won’t do.
Practice one of the above gratitude exercises 3 x per day for the next 10 days and post your feedback in our Open Facebook Group.
Enjoy!
Start now practicing gratitude.
You’ll absolutely love it.
By Yuan Fisslinger PhD(C)