The Importance of Gratitude

With fall in full swing, it means that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner. But gratitude should not only be the focus of Thanksgiving in November, but instead an ongoing act that we engage in year round. It is never too early to start being grateful and sharing gratitude with those around you. With COVID, we may have started to appreciate the smaller things in life; such as family time, our pets, and the many things we were taking for granted in our day-to-day lives that were taken away because of lockdowns. It is crucial to begin appreciating the small things, because it can do wonders for our well-being and happiness.

According to Harvard Health, practicing gratitude can make us happier. Gratitude, as defined by Harvard Health, is an appreciation of what one receives, whether it is material or not. Gratitude allows people to acknowledge all of the good in their lives and it enhances a connection with something greater than oneself. Psychology research has shown that gratitude is positively correlated with increased happiness. According to Harvard Health, gratitude allows people to “feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

One way to begin practicing gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal where you capture five things that you are grateful for each day. Another way to experience gratitude is by reflecting on the past and feeling thankful for your prior experiences and positive memories. You can also think about the present and begin to practice not taking the good things that come your way for granted. Another way to practice gratitude can be by looking into the future with a hopeful and optimistic attitude. Some quick ways to focus on being grateful are as follows: write a thank-you note to someone, pay it forward in the drive-through line, volunteer for a local cause, practice writing a gratitude letter once a month (and don’t forget to write one to yourself)!

Remember, gratitude is something that we can all cultivate to drastically improve our mental health and well-being. After some practice, you will find that gratitude will come naturally and you will start feeling more optimistic. Take some time this month to pause and appreciate all that you have in life. After all, research shows it can immensely increase your happiness.