Hello, my lovely reader,

What are you grateful for today?

It’s a simple question. But coming up with answers can have a profound effect on your life! This is known as practicing gratitude.

Think about it – when was the last time you took a moment to truly appreciate all the good you have in your life?

If you don’t have an answer, please don’t worry – you’re certainly not alone.

Between busy schedules, family commitments and never-ending to-do lists, it can be all too easy to let life slip through our fingers without really appreciating it.

 

So, what is gratitude practice?

Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation for the good things we have in our lives. From the big things like our health and a roof over our heads to the little things like blue skies, spring flowers & your morning coffee.

The art of gratitude is to recognize and honour these little everyday miracles.

The good news is, this practice is quick, completely free & can be done anywhere. You don’t need to sign up to any apps or online platforms…. All you need is yourself, a pen and a notebook. With time, it will become second nature and the positive impact will soon spread into other areas of your life.

In fact, it’s proven that practicing gratitude can improve the level of your happiness after just five days. According to the Greater Good Science Center, a daily gratitude practice can offer the following benefits:

  • increased happiness and positive mood
  • greater satisfaction with life
  • less materialistic
  • less likely to experience burnout
  • better physical health
  • better sleep
  • less fatigue
  • lower levels of cellular inflammation

 

How to Start a Gratitude Diary?

 

SO, LET’S PRACTICE GRATITUDE:

Find yourself a fresh journal & a pen, then label it: The Gratitude Diary.

In the morning:

  • Jot down three things you are grateful for. It could be something as simple as blue skies, a yoga class, a clean house. Or something bigger, like your health, or your family.
  • Don’t stop there – complete your sentences with “WHY” you are grateful for those things. For example: “Today I’m grateful for the sunshine streaming through the windows because it boosts my mood and makes me excited for spring.” Or “Today I’m grateful for my legs because they are strong and healthy so I can walk to work and don’t need a car.” … This part is important, so please don’t skip it. By pinpointing why we feel grateful, we’re able to connect with the feeling on a deeper level.
  • Read over your three gratitude points, then set an intention for the day. Write it down somewhere you can refer to later. Maybe take a picture and set it as your phone background for the day or write it on a scrap of paper that you keep in your pocket.

In the evening:

  • Sit down in a quiet space, open your journal and write down three things you are grateful for that happened during the day. Maybe you got an unexpected discount on your cappuccino? A nice compliment on your outfit? A great class at gym? Anything that made you smile is perfect.
  • Add the “why” as you do in the morning practice.
  • Re-read your page before you go to sleep.

 

 

And that’s all there is to it – you have all the tools. Now it’s just a case of committing to take five minutes of your time each day to cultivate this transformative practice. Start now and watch the beautiful benefits ripple out through the rest of your life.

With love (and endless gratitude!)

Paola x

 

If you are looking for someone to guide you on your pathway to happiness, schedule an initial consultation here or check my One on One Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching here.

To check out my online studio, where practice of gratitude is one of my recommended activities to do alongside the program, please visit here.