When monk-turned-meditation-teacher Andy Puddicombe was asked to share three principles to live by, ‘appreciation’ was at the top of his list (the others were ‘embracing change’ and ‘acceptance’).
Appreciation is, well, underappreciated. It’s a word that gets bandied about a lot, oiling the wheels of social interaction in both our business and personal lives. Yet how much do we really appreciate? Habit and routine often stand in the way of allowing us to experience real gratitude, and reaping some of its benefits. And the benefits are numerous.
Here are four advantages that gratitude can bring that you might just be grateful you discovered:
1. It makes you happier
Appreciative people are happy people – the studies prove it. When you’re leading a more grateful life, depression, anger and aggression are replaced with increased wellbeing and an empathy for others.
2. It makes you healthier
Research has shown that being appreciative of things has a lasting effect on your health – lowering your blood pressure, giving you a better night’s sleep and even improving your immune function.
3. It makes you stronger
Owing to its stress-busting effects, a feeling of gratitude can be an armour against life’s challenges and can even help you to overcome trauma.
4. It makes your relationships better
Truly appreciating others, whether with a sincere smile or a thank-you note, is one way of building relationships, and can find you new friends and opportunities into the bargain.
For a gratitude attitude, try incorporating these three methods into your daily routine:
1. Take a power shower
Give yourself an empowering start to the day by integrating a feeling of gratitude into your daily showering routine. As you wash yourself down, give thanks for each part of your body you come to, and think what it has given you and enables you to do.
2. Pause and appreciate
As you go through your day, slow down and take a moment to appreciate everything and everyone you’re grateful for. We can get so caught up in the rat race that it’s easy to overlook those little things along the way that are helping to keep us going.
3. Make a lights-out list
In bed, just before you sleep, go over your day in your mind and make a mental list of all the moments you were grateful for. Think of all the positive things, big or small, and the people that played a part in getting you through your day, from the driver that drove your train or bus to the shopkeeper that sold you your lunch. Feeling thankful for them all will not only improve your state of mind but may even help get you to sleep.
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