Cultivating a Spirit of Gratitude

We know that having a sense of gratitude is essential—research shows it helps us feel more satisfied in our relationships and positively impacts our overall well-being.

There is even evidence that thankfulness can improve your health, helping you sleep better and giving your immune system a boost.

Here are a few simple ways to bring more gratitude into your daily life:

Try keeping a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, list a few things each day you're thankful for.

Feeling thankful? Express yourself. Send a thank you or a quick email. Make a phone call and let someone know you're grateful to have them in your life.

Celebrate wins, large and small. It's important to celebrate big career and life milestones, of course, but we shouldn't forget the daily successes that get us where we're going.

Recognize beauty. Being mindful of life's little beauties—steam coming from a warm cup of tea, affection from our pets, a delicious bite of food—can help cultivate a sense of thankfulness. 

Care for yourself. It seems simple, but sometimes we forget that getting enough sleep and eating nourishing foods can change our outlook for the better.

Get in quality time with the people you love. One of the best ways to feel grateful is to surround yourself with people you love who love you right back.