5 Simple Ways to Experience More Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can help us feel happier, decrease negative emotions, enhance our relationships with ourselves and others, and so much more. However, it can be challenging to know how to invite more gratitude into our daily lives, when we feel there’s so much to be stressed or anxious about.

We’re here to tell you that anyone can have more feelings of gratitude in their life, and we’re going to help you get started by offering 5 simple ways to experience more gratitude. Take a short break from looking into REI BlackBook and its services, and let’s get into it.

Start a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journaling is a great place to start when it comes to experiencing its healing benefits. When you make it a habit to write out what you’re grateful for, these feelings will occur more naturally and spontaneously throughout your day – even when you aren’t writing them down.

Say “Thank You” More Often

How often do you say “thank you” to others or to yourself and truly mean the words you say? When you give someone or yourself a meaningful “thank you,” you’re inviting the feelings of gratitude to manifest within yourself. So, the next time you thank someone, take a pause and allow yourself to truly feel grateful for what they’ve done – even if it’s something small like opening a door for you.

Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a gateway to experiencing more gratitude in your life. When you’re mindful, you’re more connected and aware of the emotions that you’re experiencing. Oftentimes, we don’t feel gratitude because we simply aren’t in touch with the present moment – we’re too busy in our own heads. Mindfulness opens up the door to feeling your emotions, including gratitude, more deeply and intensely.

Express Out Loud What You’re Grateful for Every Day

Starting your day by expressing what you’re grateful for is an excellent method to increasing feelings of gratitude. This is different than journaling what you’re grateful for, as it allows you to use energy to express this powerful emotion. Tomorrow morning, before you even get out of bed, say out loud 3 things you’re grateful for, and try and make this part of your morning routine.

Don’t Dismiss the “Little Things”

People often wait for life-changing events to express or feel gratitude. However, there is so much in life to be grateful for. Even the simple fact that you’re breathing right now is a miracle and something that should be acknowledged from time to time. Learn to start noticing the little things in life that you’re grateful for, like your morning cup of coffee or the sounds of the morning dove.