Gratitude and Wellness

Let’s talk about Gratitude and Well-being.

Research suggests that carving out time in our day to practice gratitude can work wonders for our overall well-being. It’s not just a feel good mantra; it’s a scientifically backed tool to combat stress, enhance relationships, sharpen focus, improve performance and much more.

Face it, does any good ever come from thinking negatively? I think that answer is pretty obvious. We are also all aware of the negative impacts stress can have on our bodies - issues like poor sleep and the manifestation of illness can be linked back to how we handle stressors. Overall, it does nothing good for our health. So what can we do when we are in the trenches, and it becomes harder to be positive and “think happy thoughts”? Well, if we are prepared with an arsenal of strategies to practice daily, keeping our head above water may be possible as we navigate those difficult times.

The holidays are just around the corner and, for many, that means a lot of extra stress from unwanted family interactions to financial strain. It’s not always the happiest time of the year, but if you change your mindset and really choose what you want to spend your energy on, you’ll realize this can still be a very joyous season and there is always a silver lining.

So where to start? Here are a few practices you can incorporate into your daily routine to help you see more of what you're grateful for and less of what brings you down:

• Gratitude Journal - jotting down the positives in your day can boost your mood and your overall well-being. It can either be something you do daily or weekly and be as detailed as you want it to be.
• Take a walk - seriously though, you’ll be surprised how refreshing it can feel to get some fresh air and reflect.
• Change your words, Change your mindset - this one is going to be difficult for most people, but changing how we word things can be huge. For example: instead of “I can’t do this”, say “I’m giving my best effort”.

Next time you're feeling down in the dumps, try one of these practices! You will soon realize that there is a lot more to be thankful for than there is to stress over.