While the holiday thanksgiving can be controversial, we at An Insightful Journey do believe it is powerful to be thankful even if you choose not to celebrate the holiday in particular.
We want to share some valuable tips, tricks, and true ways to be thankful and foster gratitude.
Did you know gratitude is good for your physical and mental health?
When we are thankful or express gratitude, our brain releases endorphins, which can help alleviate depression, stress, anxiety, and pain. While also boosting self-esteem and improving your overall well-being.
The National Institute of Health reported research done by Dr. Judith T. Moskowitz, a psychologist at Northwestern University. Moskowitz researched the actual impacts of gratitude journaling and positive emotions in your daily routine, improving stress relief and health.
The truth is this daily act of expressing gratitude allows for individuals to see the positive things happening in life despite hardships.
Moskowitz advises people to “Put some effort into experiencing gratitude on a daily basis and see how it goes” (Moskowitz, NIH).
We have created some helpful prompts to kick off your gratitude journaling and for those of you who already have mastered the habit of gratitude journaling, use the second set of prompts to go deeper.
We have heard this all before and have even seen similar prompts. That’s surprising because no matter how often we come across these phenomenal life skills to cultivate well-being and care for our mental and physical health, it is challenging to develop a regular gratitude practice.
We understand the internal and external obstacles that interfere with our ability to benefit from the essential habits. For that reason, we want to share some ways you can start making room for gratitude so that you can begin this daily practice without distractions and disappointments taking precedence in your daily habit to cultivate gratitude.
Move over; we are clearing space for gratitude!
- Figure out what you “need” to be well.
- Notice we don’t say, “Figure out what you ‘need’ to be happy.” It is essential on our journey of gratitude that we acknowledge happiness comes from within. Focus on your well-being, and we realize some essential physical items can sometimes be needed to be well. Otherwise, we encourage anyone clearing space with this tip to be still in the habits of consumption.
- Focus on things you already own.
- Consumerism can be ringing in our ears, flashing in our eyes, and reaching down our throats! Especially right now, with the holidays. Try to notice what you have and appreciate those items. Consider not purchasing any non-essential items for a few days or even a few weeks. Begin to say thank you to the things you own, and consider writing a few reasons why your grateful for those items in your journal!
- Savor moments.
- Those of you who are spending time with family, friends or any loved ones hold onto the moments that are beautiful and full of blessings—a hug, smile, or gesture from someone you care about and love. Write them down, craft them, or share them with someone.
- Pause, breathe, and choose.
- Pause, take a deep breath, and choose to ask yourself What went or is going well in moments when you are feeling stuck and ungrateful.
Don’t forget that new habits can be challenging to master, so give yourself grace, patience, and kindness.