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I love the word “appreciation.” It really makes you feel good to direct it towards others and to feel it in return. When someone does something nice for me I tell them that I not only thank them, but appreciate them. It feels so great, and it is no wonder:
Practicing appreciation and gratitude is one of the fastest scientifically proven methods for increasing your happiness and well-being among eating well, getting good sleep, and exercise. Being thankful for the good in our lives alters our perspective almost immediately increases our base level of happiness. Over time this becomes more cemented like a habit as it creates new pathways in the brain.
People who practice appreciation are not only happier, but have been proven to live much longer than people who are ungrateful for the good things and people in their lives. Being grateful not only makes us live longer and happier lives, it protects our minds and bodies from stress, depression, and illness.
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I truly believe that by appreciating the people and the good things and experiences in our lives we become kinder and happier people. In the evenings I like to share what I am grateful for with my fiancé over dinner. You can start this as a tradition at home with your own loved ones.
Practice being grateful to other people. When someone holds a door for you or shares another act of kindness, look them in the eye and say thank you. Thank someone in your life in person, over the phone, through e-mail, or with a handwritten letter for something nice they have done for you. Being thankful to other people spreads happiness to you and to them, often creating a domino effect. Try volunteering. Be grateful for what you have and give back to those who have little.
You may find the benefits in keeping a gratitude journal and writing a list of 3-5 things/people/events that you are grateful for at the beginning or end of every day. Looking back on old entries during a difficult time can lift your spirits and remind you about what is truly important outside of your problems. The process of thinking about what you are thankful for or writing it down increases mood and happiness. Right before I go to sleep at night I lay down in my comfortable bed and take in the warmth and comfort of the blankets and mattress. I appreciate how fortunate I am to have a bed, my blankets, a roof over my head, running water, electricity, and food in my fridge. It can become easy to take these wonderful gifts for granted if we do not remain mindful of them.
Likewise, when I sit in my old car before a trip I am thankful that I own a reliable vehicle that grants me the freedom to travel. It is twelve years old and racking up miles, and it is missing hub caps and paint off the hood, but it is safe and paid off in full. I don’t mind the old fashioned roll-down windows that give toll-booth operators a laugh when they get stuck or the lack of heated seats. My old Chevrolet is a chariot to the open road.
In our culture it can be easy to compare ourselves to others, creating a culture of envy, greed, and keeping up with the Joneses. I rarely have those thoughts because I am appreciative to what I do have. Turn those negative thoughts around by pausing to appreciate how good you really have it. With a society that values more, we can find ourselves taking our good life for granted or wish for better things. It takes more thought to take in the blessings we already have. Take the time. Instead of grumbling about your home, your car, your job, your ordinary life, appreciate the good in it and take a step to change or remove the bad. When you do, life will become more beautiful.
