Recently I have been very interested in how my life can be lived in a more positive way. Through researching I have found my solution in one word: gratitude. I am going to share just a few of the ways that having an attitude of gratitude can truly change your life!
Personal
- It has been proven that people who focus on gratitude are more optimistic, less self-centered, more spiritual, and have an increased self-esteem.
Emotional
- Keeping gratitude at the center of your life allows you to focus more on the positive aspects of your life. You are able to me more relaxed and less envious of others as well.
Social
- You are able to have stronger friendships, deeper connections with others, and a healthier marriage.
Career
- Gratitude aids in increased productivity, better management, and a more calm manner of decision making
Health (yes, it even benefits your health!)
- People focusing on gratitude have increased energy which leads to motivation to exercise more. You will find that you are sick less and also have improved sleep.
All of these benefits reap from the ability to just reflect positively on the little things in life that you have to be thankful for! I know that it can be really difficult to put noticing these things on the top of your priority list, so here is a way that has really worked for me: every night, right before I go to bed, I write down five things that I was grateful for that day. I keep the pad of paper right next to my bed to act as a reminder to write my list each night. It doesn’t have to be five things, and it doesn’t have to be written. It can be one thing that you think about each day, and it can range from deep and emotional to being grateful for CPN’s Mini-Pizza-Monday.
This exercise has really had an impact on my life. I start noticing things in my daily life to be thankful for, and I feel as though I am generally smiling more!
All in all, gratitude brings light to your life, so I hope that you will give thought to all you have in your life to be thankful for :)