Gratitude is one of the well-invested principles in positive psychology. It has many benefits and positive effects on our physical, mental and social health: It improves self-esteem, sleep quality and relationships, reduces aggression and depression, increases happiness and physical wellbeing as well as mental strength.
It is not a personal trait, but a skill that we can learn, a habit that we can create. And the more we practice this habit, the more benefits we have.
That’s why today I want you to practice gratitude – and what could be better than starting with gratitude towards yourself!
Take a few minutes and write a note or a letter to yourself. Thank yourself and appreciate all the positive things you have done this year. Express gratitude about your achievements, experiences, the things you’ve created, resolved and learned. Appreciate positive effects you had on others and on yourself, and the sides and aspects of yourself that you really like.
Observe how you feel while you write to yourself, and how you feel afterwards, when you read through the note. You can share the ideas with a friend or family member and see how that affects both of you.
How does gratitude affect you? How is it, to be grateful towards yourself? Please share your experiences as a comment below or post a comment or picture on my facebook page.
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So, I didn’t have time to write,but I mentally thanked myself… the more I saw to be thankful for, the more other aspects I could see in a positive light. I started to feel really good about myself and all the things I have achieved this year… and it gives me a sense of anticipation, as if things only just started and were about to get REALLY good…