Published June 27, 2024
In the hectic nature of our day-to-day, it's easy to become so focused on what needs to be done and what is left undone that we miss out on appreciating the little things that make life enjoyable.
This relentless pursuit of productivity can lead to stress, burnout, and a general sense of dissatisfaction.
However, there is a simple yet powerful practice that can help shift our perspective and enhance our well-being: gratitude.
In this article, I explore more about gratitude and describe how it is a simple and powerful form of self-care.
Self-Care Defined
I define self-care as the practice of taking deliberate actions to preserve or improve one's own health and happiness.
Self-care can encompass a wide range of activities and habits, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and setting boundaries to protect your personal time and energy.
Ultimately, self-care is about making choices that support your overall health and happiness, allowing you to live a fulfilling life.
Gratitude as a Form of Self-Care
I believe that gratitude is an important (and often overlooked) form of self-care. Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you." It is a deep appreciation for the positive aspects of your life, no matter how large or small.
By actively practicing gratitude, you transform your mindset and improve your overall well-being.
Here’s how practicing gratitude serves as a form of self-care because it supports both your health as well as your happiness.
Practicing Gratitude Supports Your Health
Gratitude is more than a feeling. In fact, there are several academic studies indicate that practicing gratitude may be linked to better physical health and the inclination to make more health-conscious decisions.
For example, there is a study that found a relationship was found between stronger feelings of gratitude and better levels of a marker often linked to several chronic disorders, including diabetes, certain cancers, and chronic kidney disease.
Practicing Gratitude Supports Your Happiness
Gratitude boosts your happiness by helping you appreciate the present moment and acknowledge the good things in your life. Moreover, practicing gratitude helps shift your focus from negative thoughts and stressors to positive experiences and achievements. This shift can significantly improve your mental health by fostering a more optimistic outlook and enhancing your resilience against life's challenges.
Now that you know practicing gratitude is self-care, what’s your next step?
I have one tip — incorporating gratitude into your daily routine.
If you aren't sure how to do that, Happy Mindset app can help.
Happy Mindset helps you easily practice gratitude more often by integrating gratitude exercises within an app you already use - your calendar.
By using Happy Mindset, you'll receive prompts and guidance to help you feel happier and healthier through daily doses of gratitude.
Ready to integrate more gratitude in your self-care routine with support from Happy Mindset?
Thank you for reading this article! Have a great day!