8 Ways Gratitude Improves Your Life

8 Ways Gratitude Improves Your Life

What do you have to be grateful for? Whether you believe it or not, the answer is: plenty! Gratitude is the emotion of appreciation and being grateful can make you happier and more content. It's easy to dwell on the things you don't have in life, but try considering the multitude of good things you do have. For example, do you have clean water, enough food, your eyesight, your hearing, a place to live, friends, family or a beloved pet? The simple act of feeling thankful for these good things can boost your mental and physical wellbeing

1) You’re Happier

When you focus on the positives, you feel happier. Counting your blessings shifts your mental attention from negative to positive, improving your mood and lifting your spirits. Take small steps - what are you happy about in this moment? Perhaps the sun is shining, or you are enjoying a walk, or you are eating a tasty sandwich for lunch, or you are relaxing at home. Reframe your thinking in terms of what is surrounding you and is good. Once you start to recognise the little things that you have taken for granted, you'll find that feeling grateful comes more easily to you.

2) You're Healthier

Feeling positive and grateful reduces your stress levels, which has a beneficial effect on your body and mind. You'll sleep better, feel calmer and appreciate your good health. All of this can lower blood pressure and protect against stress related diseases. If you are grateful for your health you're more likely to be mindful of making healthy choices in the foods you choose and the exercise you take.

3) Enhanced Spirituality

Gratitude is a spiritual practice, which can deepen your sense of wonder at the beauty of the world. Once you start noticing the small things that are life-enhancing, your mind may become more open to the idea of inter-connectedness and thoughts of how your actions and words impact those around you. The practice of gratitude will open your mind to a new, more spiritual way of being.

4) Improved Relationships

Remember to say 'thank you'. These two small words create big rewards. If people feel appreciated for the work or actions they have performed for you - they will respond more positively to you in the future. You'll get an improved attitude and an increased willingness to help from colleagues, friends, family and neighbours if you practise gratitude to them. Don't take your romantic partner for granted - instead thank him/her for all the small good things they do for you. Washing up done - say thank you; bins emptied - say thank you; meal cooked - offer your thanks. Your relationship with grow stronger and be happier if you introduce gratitude into it.

5) Increased Contentment

With gratitude you'll recognise what you have rather than what you are missing. This makes you more satisfied and content with life. While you can get short-lived sensations of satisfaction from less nourishing sources - these sensations do not last and you will feel dissatisfied very quickly again. Gratitude is a constant process with lasting results - as long as you continue to practice.

6) Career Boosting

Gratitude will win you friends in the workplace as colleagues feel appreciated for their efforts will warm to you. You'll get increased productivity and extra bright ideas from a work team who feels they are valued. Your workplace will be a happier and friendlier place to spend your days.

7) More resilient

Gratitude can make you feel more resilient and able to face life's challenges more easily. You'll find this is because being grateful helps you to put problems into perspective and see opportunities instead of challenges. So you'll be able to deal with whatever life throws your way with a positive, upbeat attitude. This will make it more likely for you to be able to turn issues into opportunities.

8) Less Materialistic

When you practise gratitude, you'll begin to realise that the material things in life will never bring you lasting happiness. You could have the flashiest car, the biggest home or a wardrobe full of designer clothes - but you'll still feel empty inside. Gratitude fills this void becusae it means you are interacting with others - and yourself - in a loving, positive, constructive way. Gratitude will bring meaning to your life.