By Scott Colby
When you have more gratitude in your life, you have more happiness in your life. But you might be wondering what else you can do to show gratitude besides saying “thank you,” writing in a gratitude journal, or sending thank-you notes.
There are so many ways to express gratitude. Many of which you may not have even thought about before. Here are seven simple ways to make gratitude a part of your day:
Flash a Smile
A lot of people don’t smile these days, and often, you have to be the one to initiate it. But not only does smiling make you feel good, smiling at someone will make their day, too. Smile more and watch how your day can turn around. While you’re at it, give compliments, too. Be sincere – find something about the person that you appreciate and let them know.
Volunteer
Give back to your community. Whether you feed people experiencing homelessness, build a playground for kids or volunteer at an animal shelter, find something that will allow you to make a positive impact in the lives of others. This will make you feel great! And it will give you a new perspective to appreciate everything you have in life.
Do Something Unexpected for Someone
It’s a great feeling to have someone bring home flowers unexpectedly, have dinner ready on the table, or give a hug out of nowhere. Surprise someone for no reason and brighten their day.
Create an Impact Video
Make a video for someone that has impacted your life and send it to them. Really make it heartfelt and tell the other person not only that they have impacted you, but how. They will love it.
Take a Mindful Walk
Whether it’s a stroll right around your neighborhood or a hike in the woods, immerse yourself in good thoughts while you look at the trees, flowers, snow – all the beauty and abundance of nature.
Keep a Gratitude Jar
Keep a jar filled with notes on life’s blessings (small and large) in your home. Whenever you, your friends or family start to feel down, choose a note from the jar for an instant lift.
Host a Gratitude Dinner
Invite your friends to a dinner party and show your appreciation to them. It’s a great way to honor your friends and tell them how much they mean to you. To keep it stress-free, invite them for a potluck dinner.
Start integrating ways to practice gratitude in your life on a regular basis. Be patient. You’ll soon see improvements in many aspects of your life. You’ll start to notice you sleep better, carry higher self-esteem, are mentally tougher, your relationships grow deeper and more fulfilling, and so much more. More gratitude results in a more positive, optimistic, happier life.
