How you can practise the art of being grateful

Being grateful yields powerful benefits. Clinical Psychologist Chantal Hofstee explains  how to reap the rewards of an attitude of gratitude.

We all have our share of troubles, but it’s probably safe to say we also have plenty to be grateful for. Yet it’s so easy to overlook those things or take them for granted. Being grateful is a skill – not a talent – and so it can be practised like any other skill. Sure, some of us are the ‘glass-half-full’ types, whilst others lean toward being ‘glass-half-empty’ kinds of people, but anyone can learn how to redirect their attention from the negative to the positive and to count their blessings. You might be surprised to find there are far-reaching mental health and happiness benefits to practising this simple skill.

TAKE NOTE
According to research by Dr Robert Emmons, keeping a gratitude journal results in improved alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Research subjects who kept a daily gratitude journal experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, exercised more consistently and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals. Dr Emmons’ research also shows that those who practise an attitude of gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system and have stronger relationships than those who don’t practise gratitude. Looking at all the benefits, it isn’t hard to see how being grateful helps with mental health and happiness.

A COUNTER-CULTURAL GRACE
Why is it so hard to cultivate an attitude of gratitude? Being grateful isn’t a big part of Western culture, which is very focused on achieving goals, productivity and consumerism. Grateful and content people don’t make great customers so media and advertisers purposefully feed us never-ending messages about what we ‘need’. Also, gratitude is an essential part of religious observance: many people used to regularly thank God for their blessings, but this practice is becoming less common.

The way the world is developing is not conducive to cultivating an attitude of gratitude, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use this simple and powerful practice to boost our happiness, wellbeing and mental health.

Chantal Hofstee is a clinical psychologist, executive coach and a very grateful mum of three little ones. She is also the author of Renew Your Mind and Reach Your Goals Without Stressing Out. Find out more at renewyourmind.co.nz.