What are you grateful for? It doesn’t have to be anything significant—it can be as simple as a good cup of coffee in the morning. Taking time to appreciate what you see as positive or meaningful in your life can profoundly impact how you experience the world.  

Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean we have to dismiss any of our challenges or hardships. Instead, it’s an opportunity to give ourselves perspective and take note of the people and things we value. 

When we practice gratitude regularly, our psychological health improves. Finding positives becomes automatic, and we feel happier and have more compassion.  

Tips for practicing gratitude: 

• Be consistent. Practice gratitude each day.  
• Make it accessible. Practice anywhere and at any time.   
• Keep it simple. Recognizing gratitude for even the simplest things in our day can have a huge impact.  
• Direct your attention to a space in your life that you may be finding particularly challenging (i.e. I am grateful for these people in my workplace, I am thankful for these things in my home) 

How you can practice gratitude: 

• Gratitude journal: Write freely about the things in your life that you are grateful for or reflect on an event of the day and all the people or things in your life that made it possible.  
• Gratitude list: Make a simple list of three things that went well in your day or three things you are grateful for. Write them down in a gratitude diary or even on your phone.  
• Attach your gratitude practice to your daily routine: Think of three things you are grateful for when you get into bed at night, when you first wake up, or before you start work.  
• Express your appreciation to others: Thank three people every day or offer them a compliment reflecting your appreciation of them. This can be as simple as replying to a text by thanking the person for taking the time to send it or to someone for holding the door open for you.  

Cultivating gratitude is a practice, a conscious choice to notice and appreciate the good in our lives. It's not about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it's about shifting our perspective, finding the silver linings, and acknowledging the abundance surrounding us, even in the smallest things.

By embracing gratitude, we open ourselves up to a world of joy, resilience, and deeper connections with ourselves and others. So, start today. Take a moment to appreciate the warmth of the sun, the kindness of a stranger, or simply the breath that fills your lungs. You might be surprised by the profound impact it can have on your life.