Can Gratitude Make You Happy?

I don't know about you, but I find that mindfully practicing gratitude can really lift my spirits. We've all been given a gratitude journal for Christmas, right? But have you tried it?

It might sound like mumbo-jumbo but research by the Greater Good Science Center shows that actively practising gratitude for the people around us can improve our relationships and even our success at work. It can mean the difference between being ignored and having doors opened for us everywhere we go...

People are more likely to 'help' those who they consider to be a friend over a stranger, according to human interaction experiments. This is obvious when you think about it. But what's interesting is that participants switch from thinking of someone as a stranger to considering them a friend and favouring them over others relatively quickly. And the key to that change? Gratitude.

Gratitude works both ways. We can practice feeling grateful for those around us. And we can receive gratitude for showing kindness too. It's actually a snowball effect, which grows stronger with time the more effort you put into it. And you can put it in motion whenever you like!

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Try this lovely little meditation. It can be quite revealing and it's bound to put a spring in your step today. 

One

Sit comfortably. Relax your shoulders. Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. On the exhale, soften your jaw, your forehead, your hands.

Two

Ask yourself “Who am I grateful for?” Let names rise naturally. You might think of someone you haven’t seen in ages… or someone who sits right next to you every day!

Three

When a name appears, imagine sending them a warm beam of kindness, like a little lantern light. And then write them a note, send them a text or, even better, make them something small and pop it in the post. Or leave it on their desk ;)

Just this small act is enough to reinforce that friendship; new or old; near or far. It will give both you and the recipient a boost and ultimately help strengthen your connection.

The more you practice this, the better life will get.