Did you know that making a habit of finding things you're grateful for is positively correlated with better overall well-being? It's true! According to this article published by Harvard Medical School, "Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."
I often suggest to clients working through negative thought patterns and/or low mood to try finding at least one thing they're grateful for each day. Examples include, "A stranger smiled at me," "I got to see the sunset," "I had my morning coffee," and "I woke up today."
It's not about having the perfect family, the fanciest car, or your ideal career. It's easy (and common) to overlook the positive things already present in our lives while longing for the things we'd like to have. Think about the times you've thought something like, "If only I [had X; accomplished Y], my life would be so much better." We're all guilty of it. But how do you think that mindset might affect your perception of your daily experiences and even overall life satisfaction?
If you don't already, try finding one positive thing from today. And just see what happens when you make a daily habit of it.
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