Fostering feelings of gratitude are important and will highly benefit you.
Aside from listing down things that you’re grateful for, it’s also important to adopt activities that you can do on a daily basis that can help you feel more grateful about your life.
These activities can help you foster a feeling of gratitude, especially on days when you just can’t.
1. Morning Gratitude
We all want to start our day right. In order to do so, it all comes down to our morning routine. So, every morning, while you’re having a cup of coffee, or as soon as you open your eyes, think about the things you’re grateful for.
It can be as simple as being thankful for the coffee you’re drinking, the smell of the coffee, the beautiful morning, the comfort of your bed, and the quiet before your day starts.
These are all simple things to notice to feel grateful, and you can expand from there. Still, there’s nothing wrong if you are only grateful for the things in front of you in the morning as they are enough.
2. Give Thanks Before Meals
When you give thanks before each meal, you recognize all the people who hard work was needed for you to have food on your table. It’s an excellent way to simply pause and be mindful. Conversely, it is something that will help you feel blessed that you have all the food and nourishment you need.
You don’t need to be religious to give thanks before meals. It can be as simple as saying thank you to what’s in front of you and to the people who have made them possible. You can also write down your own “thank you” message you can use before meals.
3. Do Daily Reflections
Ending the day with negative thoughts about the day can hinder you from feeling grateful. A great way to break this habit is to set aside time for reflection at the end of each day.
For example, before you leave work, why not think of three things you are grateful for the day while you’re on the way home. You can also write it down and leave it on your desk so you can read it the next day.
You can also do this before you go to bed. Reflect on the day and identify the things that went right and you feel grateful for. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a big thing. Small things can go a long way. In fact, when you focus on the small things that went right that day, you will realize that there are so many things you should feel grateful for, especially when it’s the kind of day when feeling optimistic is nearly impossible.
4. Create Something Tangible
Creating something tangible will be an effective reminder for you to feel grateful. One thing you can do is to create gratitude stones where you can write the things you’re grateful for. You can keep them on your bedside table or bring it with you to the office.
Having something to hold will improve its effects on your day. Also, it will be helpful when you are feeling so stressed out and negative have something that you can take out, touch, and hold to feel calmer and more relaxed.