Recently, I have been reflecting a lot about the impact of gratitude on my mental wellbeing. As a master’s student, getting caught up in the required work is so easy, and often I forget to take time for myself. When I allow the stresses of life to overpower my mindset, I often feel like something is missing in my life. But every time I take a few extra minutes to sit down and think about everything I already have, rather than worrying about things I don’t, I feel overwhelmingly fulfilled.
Over the years, I have been told countless times to “start a gratitude journal.” This was something that I never really believed in as it seemed like a bizarre concept. I already knew what I had and what I was grateful for, why would I need to write it down? Little did I know that once I began to document all of the things that I was grateful for, I discovered so many things that I often overlooked. I hadn’t realized all the things I took for granted and should feel grateful to have. The outside noise suddenly became quiet once I was able to recognize what was truly important in my life.
How Practising Gratitude Improves My Mental Health:
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Stress Management
- Practising gratitude has helped me learn to shift negative thoughts into positive ones. It has helped me focus on what is going right in my life, rather than focusing on what is going wrong.
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Encourages Mindfulness
- Practising gratitude has helped me maintain an in-the-moment mindset. Rather than thinking about the past, or the future, it allows me to live in the present moment, keeping my mind free of clutter.
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Improves my Self-Compassion
- Practising gratitude has allowed me to recognize the achievements that I have made, whether they be large or small, I am able to celebrate everything that I have accomplished.
Getting into the habit of practising gratitude can be difficult. When I began my gratitude journey, I started slowly, taking only a few minutes each day to write down some basic things that I felt grateful for. As I became more comfortable with the practice, I was able to dive deeper and discover the smaller things that I often overlooked. A willingness to try practising gratitude is the first step to welcoming a positive, in-the-moment, outlook on life!
FAQ’S
How do I start practising gratitude?
Start by setting aside a few minutes a day to write down what you’re grateful for. It is important to be in an environment that is calm and quiet so that you can effectively reflect on what you are grateful for.
Is it okay to practice gratitude during tough times?
Yes! Practising gratitude during tough times is extremely powerful as it helps you to identify the small positive things that are happening rather than focusing on the negative!
How often should I practice gratitude?
Practising gratitude should be a consistent practice. It would be beneficial to try to document your gratitude daily, however, a few times a week is also very effective!
Written by: Jordan Sinclair
Jordan Sinclair is a 1st year master’s student at Yorkville University. She is working towards obtaining her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. In the future, she hopes to work as a youth counsellor, assisting the younger generation in their journey through counselling. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on long walks, and playing with her dog, Maggie!
Edited By: Dr. Silvina Galperin, C. Psych
