We're coming to a time of year that's typically for reviewing and reflecting, relaxing and reminiscing, considering the year that has passed and gently claiming our wins.
(And if you're not ready to unpack it yet/ at all, that's completely fine too 🤗).
While it is good to count our blessings during the holidays, practising gratitude for the big and small things in our lives can benefit our lives all year round. If we are intentional about it, we can use this period to deliberately cultivate a gratitude practice (aka attitude of gratitude 🙌💃).
Research has shown that consciously practising gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.
More importantly, gratitude is not fixed. It is a practice we can learn and build upon, something that becomes an integral part of who we are and how we live.
You can start right now 🤗- list 3 things that you're grateful for in your life / home / body / day...
It's about training our eyes to see the good. So in-between the family and organizing stresses, aim to be intentional about seeking after good things. That's what gratitude is all about. And it has a real world physiological impact on our brains!- Practising gratitude stimulates the secretion of dopamine which, over time, leads to actual structural changes in our physical brain! So while we cannot always have control of what's going on around us, we can absolutely choose our response.
And that is what makes all the difference.
With love and in gratefulness
P.S. This relevant quote from Brené Brown- “I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude."
I'm on a short break from late this afternoon til 27 December... In the meanwhile, contact me here if you have any questions or want to make an appointment.
My online store is also open now 🤩
Take a look and download helpful resources here.