Choose To Be Grateful

“Are you grateful? Multiple studies over the years suggest that your answer to that question will say a lot about your mental, physical, and emotional health as well as your success in relationships and your career.

The benefits of gratitude are numerous. Gratitude lowers stress, improves sleep, and boosts your overall well-being. Those with gratitude also enjoy stronger relationships — both personally and professionally.

Quite simply, being grateful makes you a happier person.

So, why aren’t we more grateful? It comes down to focus. We’ve all experienced disappointment, setbacks, conflict, pain, and tragedy in our lives. And we see suffering, division, and evil all around us. In the unlikely event you feel you need to see more pain, tragedy, or strife, all you have to do is turn on the news — or jump on social media. There’s plenty of bad, negative stuff to go around. But there’s also good. Which do you focus on?

Here are some quick tips to help you focus more on the good and experience more gratitude and joy in your life.

Set realistic expectations- If you expect (even demand) things to always go your way or for suffering and difficulty to somehow automatically pass you by, then you won’t be able to enjoy yourself and your loved ones when times are good. Instead, you’ll constantly be focused on the negative or on edge for the next proverbial shoe to drop. Choosing to be grateful requires that you first accept that life is messy and the people in your life are imperfect. And it’s recognizing that you too are flawed.

Turn down the negative- We get bombarded with information and stimuli every day. Much of that input is beyond our control. But much of it is within our control. Take the news in small, measured doses. And when it comes to politics and the issues confronting our society, be informed — not always immersed. Immerse yourself in things that will help you and enrich you.

Count your blessings- Take out a piece of paper (or open up a note on your mobile device or PC) and list out everything in your life for which you can be thankful. And then list out all the people in your life for whom you are grateful. Once again, be specific. Name them. And list out the qualities of each person and/or how each person has blessed you.

Make thanking people a habit-You know that list of people you drew up? That list of people for whom you are thankful? Ask yourself this…When was the last time you expressed your gratitude to them? Take a few minutes each day to reach out to the people in your life and thank them for the blessing they are to your life. You can send them a text, email, or card. Or call them.”

Read the full article on Medium

✨Takeaway: There are many advantages to being grateful. Being grateful reduces stress, enhances sleep quality, and enhances general wellbeing. People who are grateful also benefit from deeper interpersonal and professional ties. All in all, being thankful makes you happier.

✨Reflection: How often do you express your gratitude?

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