Gratitude your new Anti-Depressant..

I know your probably sick and tired of hearing about how great gratitude is. And it seems so much easier to just continue to with the status quo. But really how are happy are you presently? Take a minute to think about that…
So you may say well I am grateful for my life, it just harder when things don’t go my way. I would say that this is the complaint by most people. Humans are wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. But life just is life, so it is full of the good and the bad. Remember we would not have joy if we didn’t know sorrow.
So here are 10 ways to be grateful all the time:
1) Start with noticing what you do have in your life.
This task can be difficult due to the fact that we are told from a young age via society that we will never be enough, be rich enough, or be thin enough. This is how we are sold products that we don’t need. So, to counteract that pesky little critter that tells you to be dissatisfied with your life, by seeing everything that you do have: ie. a job, apartment/ house, friends, partner, family, clean water, food and safety. Also use a journal on a daily basis to see what you do have.
2)Notice how much of the time you have negative thoughts
Are your thoughts drifting into morbid reflection? Try to just notice your thoughts are they happy, anxious or negative? If they are bringing you down try reframing your thoughts. So say you are at a stop light and you start worrying about what you are doing with your life and that you feel your failing in someway. Try reframing the fear and labeling it as a fear. Try being grateful for your fear and seeing it as a motivator for change.
If it becomes a repetitive thought then you can tell it, “I see you but you will not have power over me”. Breathe and attempt to let go of the fear and reground yourself in the present moment.
If you find yourself complaining or gossiping frequently. Try catching yourself and reframing what your saying. Try being mindful of what you are saying. Try this for 10 days. See how you feel afterwards.
3)Be grateful for rejection or things not going your way
Rejection is actually protection. Try to see the rejection as the universe trying to protect you from what you are not meant to have in your life. I know it sucks when you have expectations and then they are crushed, but from observing others I can see that it is actually you being taken care of. One of my favorite sayings: Is protect me from what I want and give me what I actually need.
4)Be grateful for even the hard times
If we did not have struggles in our lives then we would never be grateful and find joy in life. It is the low and the high points that shape our lives and inspire us to grow and change. I know that having a hard time is no one’s favorite thing but struggle is a part of life. Remember the universe has always cared for you and that if you share your difficulties and reach out to your support network then you can feel better and have gratitude for the support of others. 🙂
5)Write a letter of gratitude to someone that has shown you great kindness or mercy
When you practice recognition of others and thank them for their service to you, you are passing along the chain of gratitude. You feel good because you know that you are honoring and showing appreciation for another. You are improving and strengthening a positive mood and attitude in another person. And you are practicing being kind and loving which the world needs more of.
6)Join or Start a gratitude list or Facebook Group
Having a daily practice of a gratitude list and sharing it with others builds community and relationships that can help you to feel supported in your life. When you read others gratitude lists it will remind you of things that you may have not thought of to be grateful for. It will help you to feeling positive and included in the stream of life.
7)Volunteer
Having purpose in life is important it helps build self esteem, self confidence and it makes you appreciate the gifts of your life. By helping another you are showing kindness and mercy which creates positivity in you and the person you are helping. If you are helping someone who is less fortunate than you this will help you to be grateful for all that you have in your life. It is basically a win, win situation.
8)Expressing gratitude to help your stress levels, mood, and physical health
Scientists have found that when one practices gratitude they have the ability to have more resilience in their life. According to the Science of the Greater Good these are the following benefits that one can experience from gratitude:
Physical
• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking
Psychological
• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness
Social
• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated.

If you want to learn more about gratitude or would like help in this area, please feel free to contact me. Please let me know your thoughts about the subject of gratitude below. And have a beautiful week!

Image: You have everything that you Need by Deedee Cheriel