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How to show you care, tips for practicing gratitude #SimonSaysChallenge

There are so many ways to practice gratitude. Doing so is certain to have a positive impact on your relationships, psychological wellbeing and can also improve your physical health. Even though we’re apart from our loved ones, there are ways we can show gratitude and incorporate it into our everyday life. Often we forget to stop and be grateful for all the good we have going on, so we’ve rounded up some easy ways to practice gratitude to ultimately lead to a happier and healthier you in 2021.

Here’s our top 5 tips:

Keep a gratitude journal – Keeping a journal with all of the positive things that happen can be so helpful to refer back to and help you appreciate the good in your life. Writing one or two things you’re thankful for everyday is a good place to start you on your gratitude journey.

Smile more often – Smiling is an easy way to express gratitude. What’s more, a strong link has been found between good health and smiling. Smiling can reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and relieve stress!

Reward effort – Rewarding yourself or someone else when effort is made is an important part of gratitude. Whether in a work setting or at home, showing you’re thankful for big or small efforts can lead to a happier environment.

Spend time with loved ones – Although spending time with loved ones may not be possible right now, why not pick up the phone or arrange a video call to chat and reminisce with your friends and family or write them a letter telling them all your news. Strengthening your relationship while also practicing gratitude with the people you care about.

Practice mindfulness – Sitting down and taking 5 minutes out of your day to be grateful can help rewire your brain and in 8 short weeks you could be doing so without any real effort. Mindfulness can also be great to reduce stress and help us slow down.