6 Ways to Juice Up Your Gratitude Practice

Tip #1: Describe why you’re grateful

Studies have shown that benefits for gratitude exercises multiply when you specify why you are grateful. For example, instead of saying, “I am grateful for my bf’s dog Cairo,” I would say, “I am grateful for my dog Cairo because he is so much fun to play with and loves to cuddle.”

Tip #2: Make it a Habit

Like a muscle, your sense of gratitude can build up over time to increase your sense of resilience. When downfalls happen, you still have the perspective of being blessed for all the things in your life. Find a routine that works for you - every day or every week, set some time to practice gratitude.

Tip #3: Send a Letter

Share what you are grateful for with someone else. You could even write them a thank you letter. Because letter-writing is so uncommon these days, receiving thank you letters has always been such an unexpected pleasure. Brighten somebody’s day by sharing your heartfelt reflection on their impact in your life.

Tip #4: Make a Gratitude Game With a Friend

Yes, with good friends, our blessings multiply. With a friend, take turns sharing something you are grateful for. Remember to include why you feel grateful. You might remind each other of more blessings in your lives!

Tip #5 - Turn it Into Action!

There are so many ways to express gratitude. You can write, speak, make music, make visual art, or create a yoga flow to put your gratitude into form. You can also determine to take some other actionable step to express your gratitude, or pay it forward. For example, I feel grateful for the food and nutrition in my life so I am determined to hand out food to homeless (when my health improves enough to walk). Let your blessings be of service not only to you, but to your community.

Tip #6 - Meditate After

After you’ve practiced your gratitude exercise (by journaling, contemplating, speaking, etc.) try and carry your feeling of thankfulness into a meditation. Meditating on gratitude can illuminate your sense of connection with the Universe, and so on!