‘Tis the season for practicing gratitude.
In November, we turn our minds toward gratitude, reflecting on our year and the people, places, and things for which we’re thankful. And while it’s a worthwhile practice, we often are only invested enough to check the box.
It’s essential, for both our mental and physical health, to move into practicing gratitude year-round with deep intention.
“Renew your mind by finding beauty & appreciation in the smallest things with a grateful heart — every day becomes new & every moment is fresh.”
It’s unlikely a strong habit will be established overnight. It takes intentional, mindful work to set the foundation for a habit that has a lifelong impact on your mental and physical health.
But, getting started really isn’t too hard at all.
Start by tuning your mind toward gratitude and appreciation while making your bed. How you set your mind right off the bat is a key strategy. You are doing something that you may not like to do or want to do by making your bed. As you do, state your appreciations and gratitudes out loud. This way, you overcome yourself first thing in the morning, you’re putting in effort while practicing gratitude.
Personally, I like to thank my feet and my hands and my eyes and every aspect of my body
that works. If you can get up when you want and get yourself a glass of water or walk out the door into fresh air, you are beyond blessed. That is a miracle opportunity that we walk by every day without even an ounce of appreciation. Ignore it NO MORE.
I challenge you today and for the rest of your life to start every morning with your mind right from the moment you wake up by practicing gratitude and appreciation for any and everything that you can think of that you can be grateful for.
Once you move beyond practicing gratitude for your body, you can go to things like your bed and the pillow that holds your head. The roof over you, protecting you from the weather. The AC or heat that keeps your temperature nice. Nature and all its wonders and beauty. The trees, the birds, the clouds in the sky. Remember, your mental health and its real estate are your most valuable assets, so using your mind to appreciate and see the beauty around you is a wise investment.
The more you do this, the more creative and attuned your mind will become in finding things that can be appreciated. You can start to remind yourself of these things all throughout your day. This is wise. This is how you can move your mind away from complaints and problems, which drain your energy and keep you in a negative headspace. Instead, appreciate. Find beauty. Focus on finding solutions. This is wise. This is an investment that pays dividends.
A Step-by-Step Process for Practicing Gratitude
If you’re someone who needs a plain list of recommendations laid out, I’ve prepared one just for you.
If appreciation is something you tend to practice just once a year, put time on your calendar to work on it. I recommend the early morning or an hour or two before bed.
Don’t rush yourself. Sit in the moment where you can be aware of the things around you.
Create a journal specific to practicing gratitude. Write down the things you’re thankful for and why. Sometimes, you can come back to these notes.
A large part of appreciation comes from slowing your breath and quieting your mind. Read my past blog for more information on how to do this.
Motivation is hard to come by. You will lose steam. It’s important that you understand early that the best way to build habits is to be disciplined.
Practicing gratitude will do wonders for mental health. It’ll create a strong foundation for your physical health. It’ll strengthen your relationships with friends and family. It’ll amplify your productivity at work.
As you work through your “season of giving” routines, consider building a stable foundation of appreciation that you can continue to build on all year long.
Need Accountability?
If you’ve put gratitude and your mental and physical health on the back burner, I can help.
I have the essential tools and expertise to help you achieve your goals, no matter your starting point.
With me, you will…
- Recognize moments of gratitude.
- Shift your perspective around appreciation.
- Find tools and resources that fit into your journey.
- Create manageable, transformative habits.
- Find peace, clarity, and mental health.
Interested in working with me? Schedule a discovery call.
Gratitude is only a piece of the larger journey, but it is an important one. Together, we can practice these breathing techniques and explore the many tools you need to succeed.
Also, know that you do not have to go it alone. If you ever need a guide, I am here to help. Just give me a call!
