3 Ways to Practice Gratitude
Everyone can benefit from making an effort to practice gratitude every day.
These 3 steps can help you start feeling more grateful, and appreciative of the good things in your life:
- Notice good things, look for them, appreciate them.
Start to notice and identify the things you are grateful for. Tune in to the small everyday details of your life and notice the good things you might sometimes take for granted.
Once you’re aware of the blessings of everyday life, the next step is to savor them.
2. Savor the Feeling of Gratitude
There are moments when you naturally, right then and there, feel filled with gratitude. These are moments when you say to yourself, “Oh, wow, this is amazing!” or “How great is this!” Pause. Notice and absorb that feeling of true, genuine gratitude. Let it sink in. Soak it up. Savor your blessings in the moment they happen.
3. Express Gratitude
Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It’s about showing your heartfelt appreciation. When you thank someone, you’re also practicing the first two gratitude skills: you’ve noticed something good, and you’ve genuinely appreciated it.
Show your appreciation to someone who did something nice. Express gratitude by doing a kindness. Tell the people in your life how you feel, what they mean to you.
True gratitude doesn’t leave you feeling like you owe other people something — after all, if you’ve done someone a favor, you probably don’t want the person to feel like you expect something back in return. It’s all about feeling good and creating a cycle of good.
