How to Harness the Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude is an attitude and a way of living that has been proven to have many benefits regarding one's health, happiness, and satisfaction in life. It goes hand in hand with mindfulness and focuses on the present and appreciation for what we have now, rather than the continuous need to have more and more. Here are several ways you can harness the benefits of gratitude and live a happier and healthier life.

Think of Someone Who Has Helped You

Spend a few minutes reflecting on the ways that someone has helped you in your life. It can be a teacher, a parent, a mentor, or a friend. Think about how their help has benefited you. Then, write them a heartfelt card, visit them, or call them and tell them how their support has improved your life. If you no longer have contact with that person, write the card anyway and hold on to it as a reminder to feel grateful.

Talk a Walk

Take some time to walk in your garden or nature. As you are walking, think about how nature helps us to sustain life and feel more comfortable and happy. Focus on feeling grateful for the fresh air, the beautiful flowers, or the shade of a tree.

Think of Someone Who Helps You Daily

This can be a parent, partner, beloved pet, best friend, or teacher. Spend a week observing them and focus on all the various ways that they make you happier and more comfortable in your life. Show them your appreciation by making a plan to do something special for them.

Give Back

Gratitude comes from acknowledging the good fortune you have in your life. Sharing that with others who are less fortunate has a positive impact on everyone involved. Giving back to others is a great way to show your thanks for all the good things that you have in your own life.

Choose to Be Grateful

Someone who is grateful sees everything in their lives, both the good and bad, as gifts. Being grateful means that you look at setbacks and challenges as gifts that you can learn from. They understand that the difficulties and setbacks provide them with the opportunity to learn something that they otherwise wouldn't have learned, and they are grateful for that.

Harnessing the power of gratitude doesn't mean that your life is without problems, it is merely a means of impacting your emotional state and energy levels for increased productivity and satisfaction.