When was the last time you stopped and took note of everything you have to be grateful for? This one small act could make all the difference between reluctantly sliding yourself out of bed in the morning or starting the day with a spring in your step. 

Seemingly simple yes, but the effects of practising daily gratitude are proving more and more significant. 

In fact, gratitude may be one of the most underestimated tools that we all have access to every day. Cultivating gratitude doesn’t cost you anything and it certainly doesn’t take much time. But the benefits are boundless. Read on for some of our gratitude tips.

Outcomes of practising gratitude

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Robert Emmons, Ph.D., a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression. 

In fact, there are a plethora of positive outcomes for both your physical and mental health, from this simple act of giving daily thanks. 

• Aids in savouring good experiences and feeling more positive emotions → improving mental attitude.
• Helps deal with adversity.
• Improves psychological health by reducing a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret.
• Helps build stronger relationships.
• Supports a deep and restful sleep.
• Boosts self confidence.
• Enhances job satisfaction.
• Reduces stress and potential burnout.

Backed by research

In the last ten years there has been extensive research undertaken on the practice of gratitude. Back in 2011, two psychologists from the University of California carried out a study where they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.

The first group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. The second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them. After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Interestingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.

But it’s more than the physical and mental outcomes. Being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to nature, or a higher power.

It also is an extremely important tool for your manifestation practise. Following the law of attraction, when you recognise that which you already have – it multiplies. In this instance you can choose to focus on one particular aspect for your daily gratitude – whether it be love, abundance or career wins. 

Gratitude tips

Here are our top tips to build more gratitude into your life:

• Every morning before getting out of bed, name 3 things that you are grateful for (these can be big or small). Either say them in your head/aloud or write them in a journal. 
• At the end of each day, write a list of your wins (either personal, professional or both!). Again these can be as small as getting out for a walk during your lunch hour, or smashing your big pitch with a new client. At the end of each month read back over/collect all the wins and relish in all you’ve achieved that month. 
• When you’re having a challenging day, stop and take deep breaths for at least a minute. Then name 3 things that you are grateful for in that moment. 

As the evidence loudly suggests, gratitude should form the bread and butter of your daily rituals. It should be used as a foundation alongside your mindfulness and movement practises. Start today and watch the magic begin to unfold.

This blog is all about building a community of people who want to Change The Narrative for the better. If you want to share anything with us please email us at info@abodyforever.com.

We celebrate stories because stories and the narratives we tell ourselves dictate our lives.

Love Amy + The ABF Team