Let us talk about Gratefulness.
Gratefulness is all about appreciating the good things in our lives. Starting our day by thinking about all the things we must be grateful for is a fantastic way to set the tone. Practicing gratefulness makes us focus on all the good and pleasant things in our lives and that, in turn, improves our overall happiness.
In other words, spending a few minutes early in the morning thinking about what we are grateful for, can improve our mood and our feeling of being happy for the entire day. That is something well worth checking and you do not have to spend a lot of time on it.
As you are waking up, or while you are sitting at your kitchen table sipping your first cup of tea or coffee, think about all the things and people you are thankful and grateful for. Focus your mind on anything positive that has happened the day before, or that you anticipate happening today. You can be grateful for the smallest of things. I wake up grateful that I have a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in and grateful that I am still alive! Think about the people in your life that you are grateful for including your parents, grandparents, significant other, children, friends, colleagues, a boss that gives you a job. Try to find something good about all important people in your life.
Another option is to just look around you. Look at your sunny kitchen, or the trees and birds that you can see outside your window. No matter what your living situation is right now, I am sure you can think of things about it you are grateful for, even if it is not your ideal living space.
Make this grateful exercise part of your morning ritual. Focusing on it, and practicing it at the same time each morning and, if possible, in a similar setting, will help you form a habit. And that is the goal for the long run. You want to be able to practice being grateful effortlessly and without having to think about it. Getting to that point alone will have a significant impact on how happy and content you feel. Try it for a few weeks and take note of how your mental outlook changes by simply adding this little exercise of gratitude in the mornings. Before long, you will do it automatically and will not want to miss this opportunity to acknowledge all the good things in your life.
Phoenix Education 