Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! On the heels of sharing the Mental Health Commission of Canada's post regarding gratitude - I would like to elaborate a little bit on how we can practice gratitude.
Practising gratitude increases the dopamine and serotonin levels in the body. Which is good for your mood, and mental wellness! That's why practising gratitude every day is such a good piece to schedule into your daily routine. And there are a few ways to easily slide this into your every day routine.
~Carrying a rock, gem or other small object in your pocket. Every time you touch the object, you think of 3 things you are grateful for at that moment. This should guarantee that you are thinking of things to be grateful for at least twice a day - in the morning when you put everything into your pocket, and in the evening when you empty your pockets.
~Make it part of certain routines you already have. Think of 3 things while your morning coffee is brewing, or while you brush your teeth. While you're cooking supper or while laying in bed trying to fall asleep. It doesn't have to interrupt your day.
~Before bed ask your children what 3 good times of their day were; and then take your turn to tell them 3 good times of your day.
~Get yourself a personal planner. Write down 3 things every day. Now you have a tangible copy of all you have to be grateful for.
~Find a jar and some paper. Cut the paper into smaller pieces. Write down 3 things you are grateful for, or 3 positives from your day (or a mix of both). Put them in the jar. Another tangible copy of all you have to be grateful for. You can even tape them all in a scrapbook once the jar is full and start again!
I would love to see everyone who reads this start getting into an "attitude of gratitude" daily. What method will work best for you? Try it for a week and see how much better you feel. I will also, and we'll check in next Sunday!
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