by Anastasia Fermin, Sunshima blog writer
Every year around Thanksgiving and Christmas time, the theme of gratitude and thankfulness is in the air. It’s a time when many of us take a moment to examine all the events of the months gone by and compare it to the present. If you faced many challenges or still have unresolved issues, it may be hard to view things in a positive light. However, did you know that if you are thankful even in the hard times, it can have a positive impact on you? Check out these 5 reasons why being thankful is good for you.
Gratitude helps you appreciate the good things in life
No matter how bad things may seem, if you look closely, there is always something good to be thankful for. This is something that people often struggle to see when facing challenges. If you are going through a tough time at work or home, take a step back to evaluate the things you should be thankful for such as good health, a warm home or the love of family for instance.
Being thankful makes you happier
Having a thankful heart can make you feel happier and content wherever life takes you. Appreciating the finer details in any situation can boost your optimism and change your mind-set to involve more positive thinking. This allows you to be more productive and reduces negativity which leads to happier thoughts.
It reduces stress
Being thankful can help reduce stress as it can motivate you to be more conscious about your mental and physical health. For example, if you are thankful for having a strong and able body, you are more inclined to take care of yourself. The benefits of this then induces healthier habits, improved moods and general wellbeing.
You feel more grounded and secure
Giving thanks for the good as well as the bad helps a great deal with grounding yourself and feeling confident. Be thankful for whatever life throws at you, accept it with grace and appreciate the lessons learnt. This gives you a greater sense of security in your ability to face problems and work towards more favourable outcomes.
It improves your relationships
When you are thankful for the people in your life, you can build deeper bonds and relationships. Showing others that you are grateful for their role in your life spreads the feeling of positivity and love. This creates a platform to grow closer to your friends, family and partner especially if they help you a lot. Helping others brings joy to everyone involved and thanking those who help you shows them how they make a difference.
What are you thankful for?
Whenever you have a moment to yourself, try to think about what you are thankful for in your life. Play the thoughts in your mind or write them down in a journal. This practice can bring you a lot of peace and help calm the storm inside you when you are feeling down and anxious. There is so much to be thankful for, from a sunny day to being first in queue at the bank. Every little thing matters and can help you to live a life of positivity and gratitude!