Gratitude & Its Importance- H&S Love Affair
Gratitude: How To Develop The Most Important Relationship In Your Life?- Written By Michelle Arscott
If someone was to ask you what is the most important relationship in your life, what would you say? You would maybe mention family, friends but would you say yourself, probably not. Fact, the most important relationship in your life is with yourself, this relationship sets the tone for every other relationship in your life. You are responsible for your own well-being and ultimately your own happiness. It may sound selfish to focus on yourself first but once you do, then you are in a great position to give wholeheartedly to others. So, where do you begin? Quite simply with gratitude.
WHAT DOES GRATITUDE GIVE YOU?
The human brain is naturally predisposed to be negative, as part of your brain is always on the look-out for danger. The brain is constantly analysing and is assessing threat and harm. If you practice gratitude regularly, you are encouraging your mind to be positive, creating new pathways, essentially rewiring your brain. Practicing daily gratitude for 21 days creates a habit, practicing gratitude for 3 months, creates a lifestyle change.
Having a positive mindset means that you are more likely to look for the good in any situation and if you focus on the positives, then there is less room for negative thoughts, fears and anxieties.
Research, for example, carried out by the University of California San Diego’s School of Medicine, clearly indicates that people who practice gratitude regularly are found to be more optimistic, have fewer physical pains, sleep better, and have a better connection with others.
HOW CAN YOU PRACTICE GRATITUDE IN YOUR LIFE?
DAILY GRATITUDE
Every day, ideally before bed, reflect on your day and think about 3 things that you are grateful for. A variation of this is keeping a daily gratitude journal and just writing freely for 5-10 minutes, what you are appreciative of, doing this really sharpens your ability to look for the positives everywhere and to focus on the smaller things, finding joy in the little things makes you so much more appreciative of your daily life.
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE
Pick an event in from your past life that was challenging and reflect upon what you have to be grateful for from that situation. What new learning came from the situation? What was the awareness that came from the event? What was the gift?
SPREAD THE GRATITUDE
You don’t have to wait till someone is ill or dying to think about and acknowledge them, for why you appreciate having them in your life. In your daily encounters, thank people explicitly, tell them why you value them and see the smile on their faces. Text 5 friends and tell them why they are so awesome to you!
Look at any happy and successful person, Oprah Winfrey, Eliud Kipchoke and you will find that they regularly practice gratitude. You just have to listen to what they say, they are always expressing gratitude and appreciation. So what gratitude practice are you going to start today?
Michelle Arscott – The International Adult & Kids Life Coach
BSc (Econ) Psychology & Sociology
PGCE Education
ILM certified Coach
Kids Life Studio Certified Coach
