You are not alone if you have days when you feel down or unfulfilled—even the most successful people do as well. We all go deal with the ups and downs of life in different ways—and while there are tons of different strategies and tactics you can use to lift your spirits, overcome obstacles or crush your goals, there is one key element that seems to be present in all of them; practicing gratitude.

Gratitude is all about focusing our attention on what is going right in our lives instead of what is or might be wrong. Gratitude is an emotional experience, a character trait, and a practice—is associated with a wide array of improvements in mental health and well-being.

How to Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness
Practicing gratitude and mindfulness is unique to each person and their preferences, but there are some tried and true methods that many people find useful. Actioning the qualities of gratitude and mindfulness can range from physical activity to spending time with loved ones

Below are some tips for you to practice gratitude and appreciate your life :

• Appreciate– Focus on big and small acts of gratitude
• Start small- Just like when starting anything new, practicing gratitude is most effective when you start small. Instead of trying to change your entire mindset in a single day, focus on finding one tiny thing that you appreciate between the time you wake up in the morning and wind down for bed at night.
• Stop comparing- As Oprah beautifully says, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
• Start having a daily gratitude ritual – Can be an act, can be maintaining a journal. Every day, write 5 to 10 things you are grateful for.
• Say the Power Word- When you change your vibe and make gratitude your default position, your vibration will be raised
  Daily say the 3 powerful words to yourself and to others “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you”.
• Meditate- Gratitude meditation can improve emotion regulation and self-motivation. By meditating, you are able to be present and in the moment. What better time to give thanks?
• Practice Morning Affirmations- affirmations are positive statements of gratitude you say to yourself at the start of the day. It is ideal to say/listen to them daily when you are in a relaxed state of mind after you wake up in the morning.

                 Examples:
                 – I am excited for this day.
                – I am so grateful to be alive.
                – I love myself.
                – I’m going to have a great day.
              –  I am open to opportunities. 

• Gratitude Jars- write down short notes of the things you’re grateful for and keep them in a jar or container. Manifest your desires!
• Gratitude Journals – Express self-gratitude and thanks for your life by setting aside time each week to jot down a few sentences of what you are thankful for.
         Examples of Gratitude Journal Prompts:

                – 5 things that make you happy.
                – 5 favorite happy memories
                – 5 most important people in your life you are grateful for
                – 5 of your life accomplishments/ things that you are proud off

Gratitude is a daily practice
If you want to feel gratitude, it’s important to daily practice gratitude and you have to work at it. It’s like if you just let the garden go, then the weeds will come and take over the whole garden. In the same way, if you just let yourself go, just let your life be, then you won’t have any gratitude. Keep smiling. Keep practicing gratitude!

Namaste!