It can be all too easy to get caught up in day-to-day routines and forget to appreciate our lives. Although it sounds cheesy, it is scientifically proven that counting our blessings – otherwise, known as practicing gratitude – is linked to higher levels of happiness. Even still, it can be hard to form these habits. Here are a few easy ways to begin your journey towards more gratitude.
Tell someone you love them and how much you appreciate them.
Be appreciative of others and let them know regularly that you are grateful for them. Whether you have a partner who frequently helps around the house or friends who always invite you out for a fun dinner date and let the people closest to you know how you feel. Doing so will deepen your relationship and make you more grateful for their companionship.
Refrain from making comparisons.
Comparing yourself to others is a fast-track to feeling inadequate. To set yourself up for a mindset of gratitude, focus on your own life rather than on the lives of those around you. You don’t want to be so busy looking next door that you miss what’s under your nose. For many, this may mean taking a break from social media or reconsidering a close relationship that incites envy.
Smile more often.
Sometimes grinning and baring it can be the biggest challenge of all. However, smiling – even if it’s forced at first – is scientifically proven to put you in a better mood, and happiness and gratitude go hand-in-hand. The next time you’re tempted to sport a frown, try a smile instead, and see how far it goes in affecting your and others’ mood.
The Briq on 4th Street Apartments in Bentonville, Arkansas