Spiritual Practices

Gratitude

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice. "

~ Meister Eckhart

Benefits of Gratitude

According to Therapyhub.com, some of the benefits of practicing gratitude include:

Mental

Increased positive emotions
Feeling more alert, awake, & alive
Experiencing more joy or pleasure
Increased optimism, feeling happier

Social

Tendency to be more forgiving
Increased generosity, compassion, & helpfulness
Feeling of greater connectedness & less lonely feeling
Being more outgoing

Physical

Lower blood pressure
Healthier immunity
Fewer aches & pains
Better or longer sleep & feeling refreshed in the morning
Tendency to eat healthier & exercise more

Ways to Practice Gratitude

The following 5 suggestions come from Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D. Sonja received a 5 year, million dollar grant to conduct research on the possibility of permanently increasing happiness ~ how cool is that!

1. Write gratitude letters.

Sonja says this has been proven to promote happiness and you don't even need to send the letters. It's the act of expression that counts.

2. Express gratitude in person.

3. Express gratitude in art.

Cut out pictures and make a gratitude collage.

4. Make a gratitude date.

Run or walk with a friend and discuss your blessings.

5. Devote time each day to gratitude.

When you choose the same time each day to give thanks, such as before a meal, you begin establishing a practice of gratitude.

See more of her interview here.