Why should we be grateful?

I am sitting in my office the day before Thanksgiving, and I want to be home baking and playing with my kids, and our new kittens.   Well, I am very thankful I have this job, and my office gives me a wonderful view of the mountains.  I love it.  And they people at my work, are fantastic.  I enjoy working next to them.

So, we should be grateful because it makes us happier.  Being grateful makes us feel more alive, better connected, sleep better. Our personalities improve;  so do our emotions, relationships, job, even our general health and immune systems become stronger when we have gratitude.

Sounds great, but how?

Like my daughter’s teacher, “Easy peasy lemon squeezy.”  It can start with one minute in the day.  Find one thing you are grateful for. Write it down, or just say it aloud.  “I am grateful…”  You can expand on that and keep a journal if you like, or a “Gratitude” jar/can/box.  Write your gratitude jar down put it in the jar.

Try not to criticize or complain.  As hard as it may be, try to find something to be grateful for during a rough time.

Break the negativity.  “I hate rain” could become, “Rain is so good for the earth.”

Be genuine and happy to see those around you.

Give a compliment to someone. Start with that and build up.

If you really want to start this, many sites exist that can help you with your new attitude:

Happify Daily

Happier Human

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Greater Good

I want to finish my blog by giving you thanks from Sage Neuroscience Center.  We are grateful that you trust us with your care.  Helping those around us live a better full life is what makes us thrive. Have a wonderful holiday with the ones you are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”- William Arthur Ward