October 16, 2015
Thanksgiving is more than a month away, but if you read my message last week you know I’m a HUGE proponent of practicing gratitude every day.
Cultivating an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ is simple, quick and free – plus it’s linked to better health, better relationships, a higher income, greater inner peace and more.
Compare that to complaining or focusing on negativity – which can negatively impact our mood, self esteem and even our greater mental health.
Starting a gratitude practice is E-A-S-Y. Here are my top tips:
1. Commit to making a 3 item gratitude list every day for 21 days straight. This is how long it takes to create a habit that sticks.
2. Find a partner to exchange lists with. This will keep you motivated and on task. Choose someone you trust, reach out to them about it and start ASAP.
3. Create an event in your phone to remind you to create your list and send it. Choose a time of day when you know you will succeed. If your mornings are typically rushed, don’t pick this time; do it in the afternoon or evening. Personally, I create my gratitude list at 6 am every morning and add to it throughout the day. I begin with 10 items and have no problem coming up with new ideas every day. In fact, I’ve been doing this for 3 years and 8 months and I have never repeated an item on my list. (It’s easier than you might think!)
What if you already practice gratitude and want to switch it up a bit? Here are some of my favorite gratitude games:
Play “What would it be like without _______________?” Fill in the blank with anything: electricity, doctors, schools, your job, etc. This quick game puts things into perspective – fast.
Make a list of your top 3 greatest life challenges and the positives you gained from them.
The Gratitude Color Game: using the rainbow, go through the colors and name something you’re grateful for. For example: red= ripe cherries; orange=your favorite workout shirt; etc.
Thank you notes: think of an important person in your life. Write him or her a text or a note expressing why you love or appreciate them so much.
Go round-robin at dinner with your family members. Have each person state 3 things they are grateful for. Our family has done this since our youngest daughter was 2. This is a great bonding activity and an awesome practice to cultivate at any age!
I LOVE hearing from you!
TELL ME: Do you have a daily gratitude practice?
And, as a bonus:
Which of these gratitude games appeals to you most?
Have an AWESOME week!