7 Ways To Be Thankful And Improve Your Life

We think that improving our lives means eating healthier, working out, and getting regular checkups.

11:59 19 March 2020

While those are definitely important, we often neglect our mental and emotional health which are also major contributing factors in our overall well-being. Having a positive outlook on life and being content goes a long way in improving our lives. When we are thankful, we sleep better, have more energy, gain more confidence, worry less, and improve our relationships with others. Read on to see how you can practice being thankful.

1. Practice Mindful Gratitude

At first, being thankful might be hard to achieve. Most of the time we are hard-wired to go into autopilot mode as soon as we wake up. We are either too busy working, stressing, or overthinking that we don’t have time to be mindful and conscious of the things that make us grateful. So, for a few weeks, start deliberately thinking of the things you are grateful for, as soon as you wake up or as you go along your day. At first, you may not entirely relate to the words, but after some practice, these thoughts will affect you positively and start lifting your spirit.

1. Appreciate The Little Things

Being thankful doesn’t have to mean only for the big things in life, such as kids, work, or a lovely home. These things are certainly important, and you should be grateful for them. However, to stay positive every day, you need to see something new that elicits gratitude from you every day. So, start appreciating everything —whether it is a good cup of coffee, a fresh breeze on your walk to the subway, or a good song on the radio— and immerse yourself in those moments of gratitude.

1. Keep A Gratitude Journal

Keep a small journal with you, and jot down the small things you encounter daily that make you thankful. These could be the cheerful smile of the coffee barista, chatting with a friend, or your kid’s warm hug on a Sunday morning. Some days when we are down and mentally exhausted, it can be very difficult to have a positive outlook on life. This includes forgetting everything that you have to be thankful for. On days like this, it would be helpful if you had a gratitude journal that you can look through to remind yourself of all of the good and wonderful things you have experienced in the past weeks and months.

1. Send Thank You Notes

Writing thank you letters or notes expressing your gratitude towards people in your life also goes a long way. When you share your feelings with people who have made a difference in your life positively, it will create genuine lasting connections with them, and it will cement your feelings of gratitude. The folks at https://tonsofthanks.com/getting-started-awesome-thank-notes/ stresses out that handwritten notes make more of an impact and leave a longer lasting impression. If you are not sure how to write a personalized thank you note, there are tips and samples you can find online on how to craft the perfect note that is both genuine and heartfelt. It can be a small note to your regular waiter, or a detailed letter to a college professor who helped you overcome a challenge. 

1. Volunteer

Essentially, giving back is the key to feeling grateful and content. Helping out the less fortunate, lending a helping hand to a friend who needs it, or even just participating in charity runs and events is a way to remind yourself of the things you have going in your life to be thankful for. 

1. Meditate

Whether you are a spiritual person or not, meditation is always a good idea. Meditating helps you relax and brings your focus to the present. Being present allows you to shut out all of the thoughts and worries crowding your mind and distracting you from appreciating the moment you are in. Set aside at least 10 minutes a day for mindful meditation. As you continue to practice, you will soon be able to appreciate the present and be thankful for each moment. 

1. Don’t Overdo It

Now that you have some guidance on how to implement mindful gratitude into your life, don’t overdo it! It’s all good and well to have a positive attitude and see the good in everything around you. However, if you walk around being thankful for each thing all day, every day, it will soon feel like a chore. Your feelings of thankfulness will quickly die out as you crash and burn and start resenting the practice. So, practice in moderation and stick to acknowledging a few things a day. 

Being thankful is a state of mind and a lifestyle that everyone should live by. It will immensely improve your mental and emotional health and also help you stay positive, and be content. Your life can take a great turn with just a few simple steps when you practice mindfully every day.