Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1427282
21 PRACTICING GRATITUDE is based on two simple actions: paying attention to the good stuff in life and acknowledging the role others play in that goodness. Incorporating the practice and forming a habit of focusing on the positive becomes second nature over time—and leads to a major wellness boost. Here are four easy ways you can cultivate gratitude today. 1. START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL Write at least three things you're grateful for in a journal every day. Items can be as basic as a beautiful sunset or a tasty cup of coffee. There are no rules, but the key lies in being specific. Once journaling becomes part of your routine, you'll start paying attention to the positives and seeking out people, places, and things to add to your list. 2. SAY "THANK YOU" Letting people know you appreciate them is another way to cultivate a grateful state of mind. Thank your partner for taking out the trash, thank your co-worker for getting that report finished early, or thank your parents for always supporting you. The thanks may be big or small, but the good feelings generated will spread, and you'll feel good about making someone else feel good. 3. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Practicing mindfulness is easy: simply focus on the present and notice the tangible and intangible gifts surrounding you. If you're brushing your teeth, be thankful for clean water. If you're outside, be thankful for the beauty of nature. If you're stuck in traffic, be thankful your car is working and you have an audiobook for entertainment. This concentration allows you to slow down, emphasize your senses, and anchor yourself in a moment surrounded by positivity. 4. CREATE A GRATITUDE JAR Invite your entire family to write something they're thankful for on a strip of paper and drop it a designated "gratitude jar" regularly. Every so often, gather together and read the papers aloud. Doing this—especially on particularly bad days—will bring everyone closer and encourage a glass-half-full mentality. Keep your jar out in the open and let it serve as a visual reminder of your many blessings in life. t o C u l t i v a t e G R AT I T U D E 4 Ways