Day 2 of 5 #MayMorningTakeBack Series— Gratitude
What is gratitude?
I found a great white paper prepared by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley that talks all about gratitude and it’s benefits.
They found some recognize gratitude as a process:
1. Recognizing that one has obtained a positive outcome
2. Recognizing that there is an external source for this positive outcome
Gratitude is also considered a trait, a mood, or an emotion. Most speak about it as if it’s an emotion.
Studies have shown that gratitude has roots embedded into our evolution, brains, and DNA, and development.
What are the benefits of gratitude?
Improves health and encourages people to adopt healthier habits.
Grateful people have happier and live more satisfied lives, are less materialistic, and less likely to burnout.
Grateful people are more generous and helpful.
Gratitude may benefit people with medical challenges.
One study found that more grateful cardiac patients reported better sleep, less fatigue, and lower levels of cellular inflammation.
One study found that heart failure patients who kept a gratitude journal for eight weeks were more grateful and had reduced signs of inflammation afterwards.
Many studies have shown grateful people have less depression and are more resilient to trauma.
Keeping a “gratitude journal” or writing a letter of gratitude can increase your happiness and put you in a positive mood.
What do I do?
Every morning I write down a few things I’m grateful for—usually 3-5 things. I’ve made space on your #MayMorningTakeBack PDF for you to start by writing at least 1 thing you’re grateful for each day.
This task should take you 5 mins max.
Now, you can get really surface level with this stuff, or you can go deep.
Example:
Surface Level: I’m grateful for the sun that’s shining (still important and lovely).
Deeper: I’m grateful for the way my best friend remembered to call me yesterday to see how my daughter is doing after not feeling well yesterday (deeper because it requires reflection).
At first, you may feel like there’s isn’t much coming to mind. But after you practice this day after day, you’ll have many things to share and be able to physically and mentally notice you feel better after doing this.
If I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, even finding 1 thing each day makes me feel lighter and better.
I have found this this consistently reminds me of the great relationships I have with my husband and daughter and close friends and family.
Similar to writing in your journal, I’ve found myself wanting to share my gratitude with others and let them know how grateful I am for them or for something they did. If you express gratitude or thank someone, it’s going to reinforce that behavior, and you’ll receive even more because you’ve given them your gratitude.
What you recognize will reoccur so be sure to promote good behavior in your kids or let you partner know how appreciative you are for that act of kindness they did.
Homework:
Go download that #MayMorningTakeBack Tracker in the show notes or on my website at GlowGettersLife.com/FreeDownloads
Practice by writing one thing you’re grateful for each day for the rest of this challenge through next Sunday.
Check off the box once you completed it so you can look back at the end of the week and see what you’ve accomplished!
When you accomplish your homework items, tag me in your IG stories of you listening to this episode and let me know something you’re grateful for today!
See you tomorrow over on the Glow Getters Podcast for Day 3! :D
