When Thanksgiving approaches, many people begin focusing on what they’re thankful for. It feels good to practice gratitude — and it brings numerous benefits — so why limit it to one specific time of year? You can practice gratitude 365 days a year, and we have a few tips to help you get started.
Commit to It
You may have moments during your day where you feel thankful, but establishing a thankful mindset requires that you immerse yourself in those moments, even if they’re very brief. Make it a point to be fully present during your moment of appreciation, fully taking in what you love about what’s in front of you and why you enjoy it.
Take it a step further by paying attention to good things you normally take for granted. Going out of your way to pay attention to moments of gratitude will make your gratitude deeper. Maybe the first sip of your favorite coffee makes you sigh contentedly; revel in that feeling for a second. The same may be true for an uninterrupted lunch, a few minutes to read a book or a hug from a friend.
Write It Down
Starting a gratitude journal will help with developing—and continuing—a thankful mindset. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A spiral notebook, a nice journal, or just about anything in between will work. The act of recording experiences of joy can inspire and uplift you, and if you feel your sense of appreciation slipping, you can look at the journal to recapture that joy.
Your gratitude journal is unique to you. You can jot down phrases or write full paragraphs. You can journal every day, or you can come back to the journal on a weekly or monthly basis. It’s totally up to you, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Expect Nothing Less
You’ll slip from time to time, especially because it takes a while for a mindset to become a habit. But don’t allow those slips to become permanent; get yourself back on track immediately. One way to do that is to stretch yourself beyond the great stuff right in front of you. Open your eyes to more of the world around you, and make a game out of noticing new things each day.
Over time, this will become so natural that you won’t have to work so hard at it. As you practice, you strengthen the neural pathways that help you find even more things to be grateful for. Pretty soon, gratitude will be your attitude.
Smile
One final tip: smile at every opportunity, especially when you’re having a hard time feeling thankful. Studies show that the simple act of smiling can change the way you feel, regardless of why you are smiling. This may help quite a bit on the days when gratitude is a little harder to come by.
What Are You Thankful For?
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. Today is a great day to start working on your thankful mindset. We’re thankful for you and your expertise; when you’re looking for your next assignment, we’ll be here to help. Call us at 310.436.3650.
