“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” —Zig Ziglar
The human brain is programmed in such a manner that it processes negative information quicker than positive ones and also remembers the bad memories more than the good ones.
When time is tough, it becomes a little difficult to stay focused and when someone asks you to stay positive, you find it as the most toxic advice at that point in time.
We might not be able to stay positive all the time, but we can at least be grateful for the things, we have, with us, at the moment. In this process of self-discovery, if you can recollect a few things you are grateful for, it will help you to notice that you have been able to do so many things about which you were not aware.
Self-discovery exercise for Day 7- Expressing gratitude
COVID-19 is the best example to back this statement. It taught us to survive with bare necessities. It showed us a time in the world, we never imagined. It bought us to a halt. I learned to be more grateful during these times. Even for basic things such as food and shelter.
So, when you feel devastated and annoyed, I know it is not easy to count your blessings at that time but if you make it a habit you will build a surviving guide for yourself, where you can return every time you feel left out in this mad crazy world out there.
Feeling bad, disgusted, annoyed, stressed, overwhelmed is absolutely OK but not acknowledging the good in bad, or good anywhere behind or beside you is being ignorant. Don’t do that. Thank the universe, the supreme power, or anyone you believe in, and be open to receive more, because you always deserve more.
Benefits of expressing gratitude:
1.) It helps in reducing stress levels
2.) It improves sleep
3.) It helps you build your self-esteem
4.) It helps you build stronger relationship
5.) It gives you a moment to be grateful for the things you have and what you truly appreciate in your life.
6.) It helps you focus on what really matters in your life
7.) It is your time of self-reflection
You can also maintain a daily journal to note down things you are grateful for. It could be very helpful to you on the days when you feel low and see nothing positive around you, just turn around some pages and you will find something positive to readjust your attitude and remember that you have great people and things in your life.
You can write anything you want in your journal. Things you are grateful for even as basic as you having chocolate or coffee at your favorite cafeteria..you could be grateful as you could afford it. Little things mean a lot.
Make sure you note down everything which makes you happy and grateful, your family, your job, anything. It needs not be deep or meaningful to others. It is simply yours.
See you tomorrow.
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Priyanka Nair is the author of 26 Days 26 Ways for a Happier you and Ardhaviram. An NLP practitioner and Founder of Sanity Daily, helping you prioritize your mental health. Let’s build a happy community.