Written by: Suzanne Roberts, Social Emotional Learning Specialist Taking Care of You and Yours We have been focusing on ways in which we can take care of ourselves and our loved ones during this time of great change. We have worked to acknowledge that this is hard, while we continue to think together about ways we can get through it – day by day and week by week. We continue to explore the things that help this week by going back to an ever present and always valuable practice – the practice of gratitude. A daily gratitude practice gives each of us the opportunity to focus and concentrate on the positive experiences we enjoy every day. You may remember that we thought last week about the fact that we are often attuned to the negative, not only because of the news cycle or high levels of stress, but because of a natural negativity bias. Remember also that we can counter that bias with other practices, including savoring joy and practicing gratitude! The practice of gratitude is incredibly simple – just jot down three things you are thankful for every day. This record can be kept where it is most convenient for you – in a journal, on a piece of paper in your wallet, in the notes section on your phone, or any other place you can access it easily and keep track of it over the course of the weeks ahead. Record big things and little things you are thankful for during your day. Think about the obvious, the things that have gone well, as well as the things that make you smile during the day. If you feel stuck, appreciate the beauty in the world and people around you. Before you know it, the positives will seem more evident to you. This simple practice is actually a powerful tool that helps us to improve our happiness, motivation, and overall sense of well-being. It trains us to focus on the positive, which allows us to recognize more of it in our daily lives. It trains our brains to scan the environment for the positives, and the pay offs are huge. Daily gratitude journaling practices have led to increased reports of “positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, and energy” in young adults. Research also suggests that a regular gratitude practice can result in fewer physical complaints, an improved sense of well-being, and an increase in feelings of optimism. There are myriad reasons to start a gratitude practice and really no downside. Of course, just because a practice is simple doesn’t mean it is easy to make it a habit. We are busy, we have other commitments, and we may just forget. We can make it easier, though, by leaving a journal where we think we might use it, by trying to do it at the same time every day (often first thing in the morning or just before bed can work well), or by setting a reminder on a favorite device. Whatever works for you, try recording three good things every day for the next three weeks – you may be astounded at the shift in your perspective, and in your newfound ability to identify, focus on, and savor more positivity in your life each and every day!
Darla Dayer
5/11/2020 02:21:34 pm
Great article! Such a beautiful way to assist during this crazy time! Comments are closed.
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