The Power of Gratitude

Did you know practicing gratitude can make you happier?

Gratitude involves acknowledging the good in our lives. The positive benefits of gratitude include feeling happier, reliving good experiences, improved health, and being able to handle adversity with ease. Whether it is retrieving memories, recognizing the joy of the present moment, or maintaining hope for the future- gratitude can be amazing for our mental wellbeing. Research demonstrates that those who express gratitude are more positive and optimistic.

I worked in the healthcare system and shelters with individuals who were living in poverty and experiencing homelessness. It was heartbreaking. I recognized my privilege and all I wanted to do was help and support those who didn’t have as much as I did. I reflected on the small things in life- having a roof over my head, having access to healthy food, and sleeping in a comfortable bed. Sometimes we get so fixated on having more but what about bringing our attention to what we have? 

Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude:

• Count your blessings: set aside some time during the week to think about your blessings. Be specific about how you felt when something good happened.

• Keep a gratitude journal: create a habit of writing down the small joys and successes.

• Thank someone: it can be helpful to mentally thank someone or give a small note to someone who helped you.

• Pray: prayer can be used to cultivate gratitude by expressing thanks using spirituality.

• Meditate: mindfulness allows us to reflect on the present moment and recognize the good in our lives.

Reference: American Psychiatric Association (2023)