If I were to ask, do you want to feel happier? ―I think most of us would likely say, ‘sure’.
Now, let’s say I knew a way, statistically proven, to increase happiness. Would you trial it for yourself?
I trust you’re ready―because the most effective way I’ve found to feel happier is to practice being grateful.
As much as I’ve experienced it personally, research shows that gratitude is a highly effective way to be and feel happier¹. Results range from increased happiness scores all the way to decreased visits to the physician. Revealing, right? Practicing gratitude, looking for what is good or what is a blessing, increases our sense of feeling joy.
For myself, I’m so jazzed by the benefits of gratitude in my own life using a tool that’s made the biggest difference for me over the last couple of years. And that’s being a part of a Facebook group called ‘90 Days of Gratitude’.
In this group, members post 5 things daily that they’re sincerely grateful for, with the intention to post consecutively for 90 days. It may sound simple, yet the difference it’s made for me, and for many others, is huge.
Observing daily gratitude can change our outlook. Being grateful reveals to me a place where my heart is open, where I’m clear in myself and ready to be of service and contribute to others. I find myself spotting and appreciating the things that are going right (rather than an old tendency I had of mostly spotting the gnarly-bits).
We might keep a gratitude journal, recording what we’ve spotted at the beginning or ending of the day. We might share our gratitudes with someone we love. Counting and sharing our blessings is powerful; my hubby Chris and I have practiced sharing this daily reflection with each other since about 2002. It’s made a whopping difference in how happy we feel―and in the goodness we notice.
So, I’m intrigued to know, if you’re up for the challenge of focusing on gratitude, and if that’s a yes; what’s your favourite way of tracking that? I’d love to hear from you.
Ciao from the Bahamas 🙂
¹In “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude that will Motivate you to Give Thanks Year-Round,” psychotherapist and author Amy Morin shares these research-backed benefits: the potential for new relationships, improved physical health as well as psychological health, increased empathy and decreased aggression, better sleep, higher self-esteem, and greater mental strength. She concludes, “We all have the ability and opportunity to cultivate gratitude. Simply take a few moments to focus on all that you have – rather than complain about all the things you think you deserve. Developing an ‘attitude of gratitude’ is one of the simplest ways to improve your satisfaction with life” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#4d2bdebc183c). What benefits might be in store for you?
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O, is a Lifestyle Consultant, with over 26 years experience in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified osteopath, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, speaker, health mentor and Health Brand Ambassador. She loves to globe-trot with her husband Chris (NZ, Australia, USA, UK + Europe and Indonesia are current favourites) relishing an outdoor lifestyle and time with family and friends.
