An excellent way to lower your stress is by having gratitude.
How can having gratitude help? Mainly because it makes us think positively, about what is good in our lives, and sparks a bit of hope for the future. If we only think negatively, problems begin to look insurmountable and the future looks dreary.
One easy idea is a gratitude journal. Write something in it every day that you are grateful for. At the end of the day, or anytime you need it, read just a little.
Another idea is a gratitude jar. On a slip of paper, write something that you are grateful for. When you need a boost, reach in and read a few you choose randomly.
What you write should be simple, even a single word. It’s just for you, so don’t let the idea of writing stop you. There are no spelling or grammar tests. It’s stirring that once you begin looking, the more you find to be grateful for.
These serve as wonderful reminders that some things do go right for us in our lives. Something may be rough at the moment, but when we look back at it months later we find that we overcame it and maybe even grew from it.
Of course be sure to express your gratitude to the people around you. Tell them in person or use one of the many communication options we have today. You will brighten their day, which makes them grateful and wanting to pass their gratitude along.
Finally, here are some interesting gratitude quotes:
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.”
— Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
— William Arthur Ward
I’ll be working on this myself and will likely return to this topic.
Barry is a licensed Massage Therapist at Main Street Massage in Hudson, Ohio. Find out more about him, his business, and massage at www.HudsonMassageTherapy.com
I started a gratitude journal this year. I find that I start typing and things just keep flowing. And when I’m ready to conclude I find “one more thing” to add. And add. And add. Also, I discovered writtenkitten(dot)net and love to type my gratitude there to achieve rewards of kitten pictures. Congrats on finishing the challenge!
Thanks, that’s great to hear that you are doing it and it works!