Harnessing the Power of Gratitude for Your Wellness
We often find ourselves getting caught up in the busyness of each day, always planning for tomorrow or next week. With that, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself and wrapped up in the days to come, rather than being present and enjoying the current moment. Practicing not just mindfulness, but a certain type of mindfulness can help us to stay grounded and in the present.
What exactly are we talking about? Mindfulness and gratitude.
Giving thanks, it’s what this season calls for, but sometimes it can be a challenge to step into a thankful mindset. The fact of the matter is, our ability to practice gratitude is just like muscle memory when it comes to working out. The more you exercise the muscle, the stronger it will become. The same holds true for gratitude, the more you practice gratitude, the easier it will become.
So, what exactly is gratitude? It’s the practice of focusing on the positives in life rather than the negative. Exercising gratitude can take several different forms…
- Being thankful for the past. Recalling joyful memories and focusing on the positive.
- Living in the present and being thankful for your current situation.
- Looking to the future and practicing optimism for what is to come. Being thankful for the opportunity to take on the coming day.
No matter your situation, your upbringing, or where you are today, there is always something to be grateful for.
Your inspiration and connection can come from within or you can utilize other people, the universe, nature, or a higher power. Regardless of your approach, practicing gratitude can help you recognize and focus on goodness around you.
This connection can help with inner growth, building relationships, dealing with adversity, and connecting with those around you on a deeper level. Again, gratitude is like a muscle and must be strengthened over time. Integrating thankfulness into each view of your life is the perfect framework to build this strength.
What might this look like on a daily basis?
Start by carving out time each day. The duration is up to you but we recommend starting with at least three minutes. During this time go through the following exercises:
- Acknowledge the negative. Begin by looking within and recognizing negative thoughts that arise. Allow yourself to feel negative emotions but do not dwell in that place for long. Rather, refocus on gratitude to bring your mental state to a positive place.
- Recall the positive. Take time to recall and focus on the positives in your life. This could be as simple as being grateful for a roof over your head, food on your plate and a device to read this article on.
- Journal your thoughts. During this time, begin keeping a gratitude journal of all the positives that come to mind. This journal will allow you to conceptualize and understand the emotions you feel in a concrete way. Journal the people, things, and gifts you are thankful for.
- Spend time in meditation. Spend time each day in meditation, being mindful of the things you are grateful for.
This does not always have to be a solo endeavor. Expressing your gratitude to others can bring about a feeling of joy for all involved. And, it can often be the most rewarding part!
Gratitude helps you to focus on what you have instead of what you lack, brings about a sense of joy, and puts you in a mindset for continued growth.
Live the #NewEarth Life
Practicing gratitude daily, it’s an essential part of what we call living the #NewEarthLife!
New Earth is on a mission to have a positive impact on the health of everybody and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements that feature a rare, yet highly, nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae, AFA is a unique type of blue-green algae that is available in many forms including algae tablets, algae pills, and algae powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. Visit our website for more information on our products and business opportunities, and make 2020 a year of exciting growth!
