Using Gratitude Practices to Shift Your Mental State

Did you know practicing gratitude regularly can help shift your brain away from negative thoughts? Gratitude practices train your brain to become more aware of when you’re thinking negatively. Once you realize the negative thoughts are present, you can stop them in their tracks with gratitude practices. It’s all about training your brain to think differently. Gratitude practices are simple exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home.

Pros Of Practicing Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is all about looking at the positive side of a bad situation. For example, you may not get the best performance review at work. A good way to spin that event into a positive one of gratitude is to be grateful that you work in a space that provides an opportunity for you to meet your edge and grow.

Instead of dwelling on things we cannot change, thinking positively releases serotonin and dopamine into the brain. These chemicals are queues to our minds that we’re experiencing happiness and pleasure. Additionally,  practicing gratitude has been known to lower stress levels, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall mental health. Other benefits of practicing gratitude can include:

• Higher-quality sleep: Some people who practice gratitude regularly report sleeping better through the night. This positive reaction could be due to expressing gratitude right before going to sleep. Releasing those feel-good brain chemicals is a great way to relax before bed.
• Better focus: Practicing gratitude can make you stress less. When you stress less, you can improve your focus. The improved focus you experience can also help heighten your emotional resiliency. You’re less stressed and can take on all your daily tasks like a champ. All of these positives make obstacles seem less like a threat.
• More self-esteem: When you’re feeling good and taking on all your work at a nice pace, your belief in yourself raises aong with your spirits.

How To Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude has many benefits, all of which sound great. But how do you practice gratitude? There are plenty of ways to practice gratitude, but here are a few exercises you can try at home:

Keeping A Gratitude Journal

Keeping a journal, especially a gratitude journal, can be very therapeutic. Many professional therapists recommend that their clients keep one on a regular basis. All you have to do is keep a record of what you are grateful for that day and also include another list at night. That way, you will have positive vibes when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

Try Gratitude Meditation

If you like to meditate (and if you haven’t tried it, you should give it a go!), try incorporating gratitude into your meditation. Meditation has been shown to work wonders for mental health, and combining gratitude with it will double its effects!

Express Gratitude To Others As Often As You Can

Thanking people who have been there for you can also boost your mood and increase your capacity for empathy. It’s also just a nice thing to do and can bring smiles to those around you.  You can express your gratitude in many different ways such as saying it out loud over a cup of coffee, writing a letter, or even buying someone a gift.

Getting Help With Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can do wonders for your mental health and self-esteem. It can help improve your life in many ways. Expressing gratitude towards others can help you strengthen your empathy and bring joy to those you care about. If you’d like to talk about other ways gratitude can help you on your therapy journey, contact me.