A Note on Gratitude
By Patricia McGuire, LPC-MHSP
11/18/2024
There’s a lot of buzz about gratitude and thankfulness this time of year as the days get shorter, the weather gets colder, and the holidays are approaching. But what is gratitude? How can we practice it? And why is it important?
What gratitude is…
Simply put, gratitude is thankful awareness or appreciation for the good things in our life. This can be small things like sunshine, a smile from a stranger, or a favorite song on the radio. This can also be profound parts of our life like shelter, family, friends, or food.
What gratitude is not…
Gratitude is not a way to bypass or cover up unwanted emotions or difficulties. Rather, gratitude coexists with all the other complexities of our lives. When we practice gratitude, we consciously shift our focus to things we cherish and value. For example, when grieving the death of a loved one, you can simultaneously be grateful and sad - grateful for the memories with that person and sad because they have passed away.
How to cultivate gratitude…
Creating a practice of gratitude helps us intentionally tune into the good parts of our lives. Here are a few ways to practice gratitude daily:
Express thanks to others in the moment (“thanks for holding the door”)
Keep a gratitude journal (make note of daily things you’re thankful for)
Do mindful check-ins throughout the day to reflect on what’s going well
How gratitude helps our health…
Research has shown that practicing gratitude has mental and physical health benefits, including:
improved sleep
reduced stress
improved heart and immune health
Practicing gratitude may feel clunky and unnatural initially, but as you keep it up, you will find that there are small (and big!) moments in each day to notice and express gratitude.
If this resonated with you and you’d like to explore these ideas further, connect with Patricia McGuire Counseling here
