Why gratitude is essential and how you can practise it

Did you know that practising gratitude benefits both your emotional and physical wellbeing?

Maybe you’re wondering, how does this work and what can I do to tap into this powerful source for good?

We’re going to answer those questions in this post as well as offer some easy ideas for practising gratitude. So read on to know how saying “thank you” can enhance every area of your life!

The benefits of gratitude

Studies by the University of California have revealed a whole host of benefits linked to practising gratitude. Here’s what they’ve found that gratitude can do:

• Strengthen your immune system
• Relieve aches and pains
• Lower your blood pressure
• Inspire you to exercise and take care of your health
• Help you to enjoy better quality sleep

And that’s just the physical benefits! When it comes to emotional wellbeing, practising gratitude can also:

• Inspire positive emotions
• Make you feel more alert
• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Make you feel more optimistic
• Inspire you to feel more compassionate

How to practise gratitude

So now that we know how and why gratitude is good for you, let’s find some easy ways to put it into practice! Take a look at our three top picks and find a method that works for you.

1. Keep a gratitude journal

A gratitude journal is quite simply a notebook where you jot down the things you feel thankful for.

Set aside 10 minutes every evening if you can to write down three things in the day that you feel grateful for.

These could range from the big things like, “I’m so grateful for my family’s good health,” through to apparently small things like, “I’m thankful that I got the chance to drink my morning coffee in the garden today”.

2. Show your appreciation

Make a small but meaningful gesture to show your appreciation of someone special, whether you want to thank them for a specific reason or “just because”.

There are lots of ways you can do this. Try:

• Making them a video of yourself expressing your thanks
• Sending a handwritten card
• Putting together a personalised gift box filled with goodies that you know they’ll love
• Expressing why you’re grateful to them and tagging them on social media

3. Prayer, meditation and mindfulness

You can also practise gratitude by focusing on what you’re thankful for in your prayer, meditation or other mindfulness sessions.

You could follow a guided gratitude meditation or simply let your thoughts around the subject flow freely while you are practising your usual spiritual activities.

Simply thinking of examples of why you feel grateful and acknowledging your gratitude can be enough to trigger those benefits.

Express your gratitude with customised gift boxes

Practising gratitude is easy and doesn’t need to cost much, so why not start today?

If you like the idea of personalised gift boxes, then check out our customised and curated boxes that show your gratitude in one simple but heartfelt gesture.

Enjoy the whole experience of choosing a box design, selecting the treats to put inside and writing the personal message to be sent with your box.

Knowing that this simple process will not only bring joy to your recipient but also stimulate all those positive emotions in you, the giver, makes practising gratitude all the sweeter!