Is Gratitude your Attitude? A Gratitude Infographic Walkthrough!
Do you know the month of November is considered as the ‘National Gratitude Month’? While November marks the onset of winters, it also presents an excellent opportunity to celebrate the concept of gratitude and make it a part of our daily ritual to attract abundance, joy, and well-being. Practicing gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to take control of our happiness. And this post walks you through infographics on gratefulness and teaches you how to put the gratitude into action. Read on and discover how to make your blessings count!
The national gratitude month of November is here. As the concept of gratitude is making the news around the corner and dominating the discussions over the wellness space, it is a perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of gratitude to shift our focus from a negative mindset to a more positive & peaceful one. It is no wonder that we live in a world defined by consumerism, materialism, and comparison perpetuated by an ostentatious display of wealth, power, and material possessions- presenting a clear-cut dichotomy between haves & have-nots. Regardless of whatever side we fall in, few things, apparently, are common — the feelings of dissatisfaction, unhappiness & discontent- rendering wealth, power, and material possessions useless when it comes to finding peace, happiness, and health, at least to some extent. So, what is it that helps us reclaim our happiness and peace? One of the most potent things that come to rescue is practicing gratitude. Gratitude teaches us not only to be grateful but also attracts abundance, joy, and mental prosperity. Let us delve more about gratitude and understand why — gratitude is the best attitude, with this simple gratitude infographicabout gratitude, the importance of gratitude, and how to practice gratitude daily.
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What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is taking cognizance of what is good in our lives, focusing on how blessed we are, and being thankful for the things we have. While we may express gratitude by saying thank-you to the people who have helped us or supported us, it extends beyond this expression to encompass the feelings of positive emotion that ignite as we practice gratitude and serves a biological purpose as well.
Gratitude starts with appreciation and cognizance of things that we take for granted more often than not. For example, food, clean water, shelter, clothing, parents, vehicle, and even the internet. It is expressed by saying that we feel thankful, blessed, grateful, humbled, fortunate, or lucky.
Refer to the following gratitude infographic for more about gratitude and what does it exactly mean!
The Importance of Gratitude — The Gratitude Infographic!
Gratitude is certainly one of the most powerful concepts I have come across and has the potential to change everything. Gratitude is not only a feel-good factor but also has deep biological, social, and psychological benefits. The following gratitude infographic depicts why is it important to be grateful and the importance of gratitude.
Gratitude leads to more positive emotions
Positive emotions and experiences open us up for new possibilities while boosting our ability to learn and the ability to make good decisions. These positive emotions balance out negative emotions. For example, people who feel grateful, practice abundance, & appreciate smaller things are merrier, less depressed, less stressed. Such a positive emotion also leads to other positive emotions like happiness, calmness, joyfulness, and lovingness.
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Gratitude leads to positive actions
When we imbibe gratitude and appreciate people’s kindness towards us, we are more likely to return the kindness in favor. This leads to a positive effect on others, and they will be further motivated to do the act of kindness again — a kind of a multiplier effect.
Gratitude leads to building better relationships
When we express gratitude to people around us and appreciate their love and support, it ignites a feeling of bonding, love, and trust in others. This brings us closer and helps us form meaningful relationships.
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Gratitude increases your self-esteem
When you practice gratitude, you are less likely to compare yourself with others and feel more self-assured.
Gratitude helps people in developing self-control
People who practice gratitude and abundance demonstrate self-control. This can help foster better decisions regarding healthy eating, smoking, avoiding impulse buying, and saving money.
Gratitude helps you become less aggressive
When you are grateful, you are more empathetic and are less aggressive.
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Gratitude makes you mentally strong
Regularly practicing gratitude makes you resilient and imparts mental strength.
Gratitude makes you rejoice in the feeling of abundance
Being grateful can make you realize that your internal resources are more abundant than you previously thought and therefore attracts abundance.
Gratitude leads to greater well-being
Being grateful to your specific person or situation, or your life, in particular, releases happy hormones which contribute to your overall well-being.
Gratitude leads to better physical health
Studies show that men and women suffering from some form of heart disease and who practice gratitude regularly show significant improvement in heart health. Studies also indicate that a grateful mind is linked to a healthier blood-pressure, a stronger immune system & less body pain and aches.
To gain the most of it, club gratitude together with regular meditation and mindfulness practices.
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Gratitude at the Workplace
Gratitude is certainly the most talked-about word in your workplace, but practicing it will lead to immense benefits likes enhanced productivity, better mental balance, improved relationships at work, resulting in a conducive work environment. Gratitude helps improve the company culture, create better leaders, and improve workplace dynamics. This creates a win-win situation for all. (Refer to gratitude infographic)
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How to practice or show gratitude at the workplace?
- Say thank you more often!
Sending a thank you E-Mail after a meeting or saying thank you often a good practice and goes a long way.
2. Greet employees every morning
Greet your employees and colleagues every morning with all the positivity as they arrive.
3. Value the efforts
Recognize the efforts of your team and colleagues, even when things go wrong. When we are thanked for a job well done, we feel valued and recognized.
4. Job appreciation and recognition
Job appreciation and recognition are important in the workplace as 79% of the talent resigns due to the lack of appreciation and recognition.
5. Surprise your team with lunch
Surprise your team with lunch, coffee, or another treat to make them happy.
6. Be respectful of each other’s time
It is always advisable to be respectful of other’s time. Positivity always goes a long way.
How to be Grateful?
Daily habits of gratitude that will attract more abundance and happiness
It is true that when you are thankful for what you have, you will end up having more of it. Conversely, as you concentrated on what you do not have in life, you will never have enough of it. As it goes with the famous ‘ law of attraction ‘, that, like attracts like, when you are grateful for what you already possess, you will naturally attract more of it.
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While it is difficult to cultivate this persistent habit of being grateful, it is possible to condition your mind to practice gratitude, attract abundance and joy in life with these simple tips as given below (also refer to gratitude infographic). These tips are a natural habit of most successful people, who practice it without fail. Here is how to practice gratitude:
1. Maintain a gratitude journal
Spare a few minutes daily, either in the morning or the night, preferably, before bedtime, and write down everything you appreciate in life. Put a small notebook near your bed and each night, write 3 things you were grateful for that day. This way, you are conditioning your mind to be more receptive to positive thoughts while ridding off the negative ones, invariably invite more quality sleep.
2. Surround yourself with visual reminders
Surround yourself with visual reminders of things you are grateful for, like, a souvenir from your memorable trip or a framed photo of your loved ones. By doing this, you are sending conscious and regular signals to your brain to attract abundance and happiness.
3. Make conscious efforts to appreciate at least 3 people a day
When you express your gratitude to others, you create positive vibes and help others appreciate their self-worth. This, in-turn encourages them to direct more of their positive behavior towards others.
4. Appreciate everything you encounter at a specific time of the day
Every day, choose an object your encounter at a specified time like the wall clock, clothes, or a guitar, express gratitude, and think of something you appreciate about it. Alternatively, you can set a specified time daily, for example, while driving to work, appreciate everything you encounter on your way like cars, the roads, the trees, the people, etc. The idea is to look for the good in all the conditions.
5. Carry a physical token of gratitude in your pocket
As you reach out to your pocket during day time and encounter the physical token of gratitude like a stone, locket, or any souvenir gifted by parents, you are reminded of your daily habit to practice gratitude. Use this as a moment to feel, relax, unwind, and fully experience the moment of gratitude.
6. Remember to appreciate the smallest of the blessings
The most potent way to extract the best out of the habit of gratitude is to appreciate the smallest things, which we, otherwise, take for granted. If you have a house to live in, clothes to wear, and food on your plate, you are better off than 75% of the world’s population. If you have an iPhone, a swanky car, and travel abroad for your holidays, you are in the top 10% of the world’s population. It is a good enough reason for celebration. Therefore, celebrate these simple blessings which the majority of the people in the world do not enjoy. Also, take out time to appreciate at least three things daily in your life.
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7. Appreciate yourself
Never forget to appreciate yourself, your positive qualities, and accomplishments. Rejoice not only in your big successes but also in your small daily success too. While we all need appreciation, self-appreciation and self-acknowledgment are what we need the most. It is time to pat your own back!
8. Don’t resist what is being offered
Do not resist what is being offered in life, like a job offer, or life partner, in anticipation of something better. Rather, be grateful and embrace what life has to offer on your plate. After all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Conversely, never try to chase things desperately as the more you will chase them, the more they will elude you. Rather practice abundance and be grateful for whatever energy is flowing-in, while accepting, gracefully, whatever is being offered on your plate.
Always remember, a simple thank you note has the potential to change everything. Therefore, never underestimate the power of gratitude! If there is gratitude in your heart, there will be tremendous sweetness in your persona.
Originally published at https://theeasywisdom.com on November 7, 2020.
