Everyone seeks grace. Practicing gratitude is a great way to begin finding your grace; it’s free, and only takes a little effort. Mastering this practice can and will change your life for the better.
Psychological studies on the positive effects of practicing gratitude have found that it impacts the brain by boosting the effects of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which cause the brain to produce more dopamine (our ‘pleasure’ chemical). The same studies, naturally, concluded that grateful persons manifest more positive emotions, enjoy greater experiences, have better health, build better relationships, and are more able to handle adversity; essentially, with gratefulness comes health, happiness, and positivity!
For some people, practicing gratitude can feel difficult for any number of reasons. You may feel you’re at a mental or spiritual impasse or have failed expectations. Those who are impatient, those who overthink, or are overly sentimental – these are the people who may be less likely to be grateful, and yet need the effects of practicing gratitude the most! But, while it may be hard sometimes, practicing gratitude isn’t impossible; if you’re having difficulty, or gratitude doesn’t come as easily to you, you can train yourself by devoting more time to practice and changing your mentality.
Here are some helpful approaches:
Keep a gratitude journal!
At the end of the day, record the things for which you are grateful, it could be anything (people who impact your life, things, events from your day). You can
also craft letters and send them to those whom you feel you should thank.
Meditate.
Meditation is a continuous and profound method of contemplation that can help you deal with anything. While meditating, count your blessings.
Call the people you love and thank them for the value they add to your life.
Gratitude is a positive emotion that allows us to focus our energies on the good things in our lives. Actively practicing it allows us to pause and notice the things and people that we value but can take for granted. We, therefore, should all practice gratitude.
Jeanne Clark, RN, MSN, NC-BC
The Emerald Door
8 Elm Street
Huntington, NY 11743
https://jeanne-clark-rn-msn-nc-bc.square.site
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