Gratitude starts a chain reaction to happiness. Gratitude starts with noticing the goodness in life and the expression of appreciation for what one has.

Why is gratitude so important for us? Feeling grateful genuinely boosts happiness and attracts both physical and mental well-being, even those already struggling with mental health problems. Practicing gratitude can curb the use of negative words and negative thinking. Stress starts to alleviate, our immune systems become a little stronger, our relationships become healthier and we sleep better.

How do we start embracing gratitude? Gratitude starts with noticing the goodness in our lives. Trying to figure out what makes you feel more appreciative of life and what pushes you to be more thankful for what you have currently. Changing your perception alters your emotional thinking into gratitude without even putting in a lot of effort. For example, when you are facing a tough decision, seeing it as a gift that others would not mind making, is a form of gratitude.

Writing a gratitude list is a fantastic tool to keep you a step ahead. At the end of every night take some time to sit down and reflect on what you were grateful for in that day. Ensure you have at least 20 things to write down. Do not stop writing until you have written down absolutely everything you are grateful for in that 24 hours. It does not matter now big or how small it is, it is important to completely exhaust every little bit of gratitude. Some examples might include, being thankful for waking up in the morning, the sun shining, having fresh food in the fridge, my children are healthy etc.

If you consciously make the effort to write a gratitude list every single night, you will go to bed happier and sleep more peaceful. This will in turn help you become a healthier and happier person.

What are you grateful for today?

-Coach Danni