A little bit of gratitude can go a long way
You may have noticed the word ‘gratitude’ popping up in different places and wondered what all the fuss is about. It turns out there is lots of research to support the idea that the practice of gratitude can be associated with improvements in our mental health. Studies have suggested benefits in healthy individuals as well as in those that are struggling with mental health concerns.
Whilst it wouldn’t be expected that the practice of gratitude on its own would be enough to treat mental health disorders, it certainly can be used as a part of an overall holistic strategy to assist in improving your wellbeing.
The aim of practicing gratitude is to help you identify and acknowledge the positive things in your life and it can be practiced in many simple ways. You may like to try out the different techniques before you find one that resonates with you. It is important to try to be regular with the practice and to know that it can take a number of weeks to see the benefits.
A really simple method is to think of 3 things that you are grateful for each day. It doesn’t matter how big or small the things are, it is just important that you feel grateful for them. This could be done at any time of the day such as when you first wake up or before you go to bed but it is a good idea to stick to a regular time to remind you and to help it become a habit. Some people just think about these 3 things or you could write them down on your phone or in a journal. In fact, finding a nice journal and dedicating it to the practice can make it that little bit more special and encourage you to keep going. It can also be a positive experience to be able to look back at your gratitude lists in the future to remind you of the good things in your life.
Instead of writing a list, you can set aside a certain amount of time each day or week to write freely in your gratitude journal about the things in your life that you are grateful for.
Some people may like to take photos of the things they are grateful for or try using a gratitude app or even talk to someone about what they are grateful for.
Other techniques include writing thank you notes or gratitude letters to the people in your life. You could do this once a week and it doesn’t matter if you send them or not. It is just the act of writing them that is important.
Gratitude is a simple and free tool that can have really positive benefits so I would encourage you to give it a go and see how it makes you feel.
Disclaimer:
Please note that all the information on this website is general in nature. The information on the website is not intended nor suited to be personalised medical advice for any individual person. This information does not take the place of professional advice or treatment from a qualified medical professional.
If you have any health concerns, please consult with a suitably qualified healthcare professional. You should not discontinue any medical treatment, disregard medical advice or delay in seeking medical advice because of any information provided on this website. If you have any medical or health related questions, you should contact your own treating doctor.