Gratitude is defined as, the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

And everywhere you turn, people seem to be talking about why you should practice gratitude and the ways to do it. That’s because practicing gratitude is good for you in many ways – and there are lots of ways to go about doing it.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should practice gratitude.

Physical:

• You will have a stronger immune system
• You will have fewer aches and pains
• It can lower your blood pressure
• People who practice gratitude tend to exercise more and have improved health
• Sleep better

Psychological:

• Experience positive emotions more in your life
• Be more alert and awake
• Experience more joy 
• Be more optimistic and happy

Social:

• Be more helpful and generous
• Offer forgiveness easier
• Be more outgoing
• Experience less loneliness and isolation

Those are all great reasons to practice gratitude, but how do you do it? If you’re ready to get started, here are a few different ways you can go about it.

• Write It Down: One of the easiest ways you can bring gratitude to your life is to write it down. Get a journal or a notebook, or start a gratitude blog and make it a daily habit. You choose a set number of things each day that you will include or write for a set amount of time. 
• Join an Online Group: There are various groups on Facebook dedicated to gratitude, or you can join the Global Gratitude Jar on the Mighty Network. Geoffrey Blake leads this group, and the group believes:
  • Gratitude can change your life 
  • Gratitude practice is quite possibly the easiest and least frustrating entry point to mindfulness 
  • This journey called life is better with other grateful humans joining our path 
  • The more diverse this group is, the more fulfilling and enriching it will be for all of us
• Pay Attention to the Bad Things: While it may seem counterintuitive to pay attention to the bad things going on around you, it also means you can be more grateful for the good things. You don’t need to write down the bad things; just mentally note them and then think about what’s going on in your life that makes you grateful.
• Share It With Others: Are you grateful for some of the people in your life? Friends? Family? Co-workers? Then let them know! When you share gratitude with others, they are more likely to continue doing the same. 
• Create Some Reminders: Creating some reminders can also go a long way to helping you practice gratitude. Put a reminder on your calendar or family command center – someplace where you often look – and use it as a prompt to take a moment to be thankful.
• Make It a Habit: Instead of a bad habit, why not create a good habit? Perhaps you can set aside time each morning or each evening where you practice gratitude. When you do it at a specific time, it will become a positive habit. 
• Fake It ‘Til You Make It: There are days when you are not going to feel grateful. It happens to everyone. And on those days, you may have to employ the expression “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Seek out even the smallest thing to be grateful for – and know that that’s enough.
• Use Language That Exemplifies It: If you’ve ever talked with someone who practices gratitude, you know that their language is positive, and they use words that exemplify gratitude. Start using language that shows your gratitude – and it will catch on.

Let 2021 be the year where you start practicing gratitude! The benefits are many, and you’ll love the way you feel when you do it.