Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

We all like to think we’re grateful and take nothing for granted, but we can get swept up in the busyness of life and miss what’s right in front of us. 

We spend a lot of our time wanting to be more, have more, and be able to do more rather than noticing the good within ourselves, others, and in the environments and experiences that surround us. This keeps us stuck in scarcity, or ‘lack of’ mindset which means we’re always on the hunt for something better. 

When we weave gratitude into our days, we gradually switch to an abundance mindset which helps us to feel more fulfilled and content. 

Whether we choose to have a structured gratitude practice or do it on-the-go, it has so many benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional health. 

The best part? It’s free and accessible at any time.

It can help us to feel more energised, calm, and optimistic. With this comes lower stress levels which mean we’re able to focus, be more productive, and adaptable when changes come our way.

Here are some simple tips you can try to get started or to build on your gratitude practice: 

1. Link your gratitude practice to an existing habit

One of the easiest ways to make gratitude a habit is to link it to a habit you already have or to something that happens most days. For example, brushing your teeth, picking up your phone, or stopping at traffic lights. Each time you do these things, think of something you’re thankful for. 

2. Write down what you appreciate 

You might prefer to write things down so you can look back on them and reflect. If you’re a visual person, a gratitude jar is a great way to watch your pile of good things grow. You can add things like the highlight of your day or something you’re proud of.

3. Engage your senses

Engaging your senses is a powerful way to ground yourself in the moment and take in what’s around you. You might do this on a walk, before you eat a meal or as you take the first sip of your morning coffee.

4. Notice what you’re saying

Another way to boost your abundance mindset is to tune into the language that you use. Do you say ‘I’m able to’ or ‘I choose to’ more often than ‘I have to’ or ‘I need to?’. 

Switching up phrases you constantly use can help you to see what you’re able to do each day and what choices you do have rather than feeling swamped with all the things you ‘should’ be doing. 

Commit to one thing you can do each day and notice the impact it has over time. If you would like some more inspiration, you can find a 30-day challenge here.

This blog was written by Holistic Health Coach, Bridget Murphy from The Truest You. You can learn more about Bridget here.