It’s finally Fall! Leaves are changing, the air is cold and biting, and the Halloween costumes are being swapped with peppermint bark and pumpkin pie.
And most importantly, nature seems to be inviting us to slow down. With colder weather, shorter days, and gloomier skies, the world is gently nudging us to take a breath and enjoy doing nothing except sitting by the fire with some tea.
When life slows down, all those problems inside us that we might have been ignoring with busyness and stress start to pop up. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, they will bug us until we deal with them, and those slower times are sometimes the only chance we get to do so. But what can also pop up, is a realization of just how many blessings our lives are filled with in ways we don’t notice when the days are faster-paced. And if you have to sort through your problems on those gloomy winter days, you might as well do them in a mood of gratitude, positivity, and abundance.
Here are a few concrete ways to bring more gratitude into your life.
Write it down at bedtime:
Work, school, and all the other to-dos in life can build up throughout the day. By the time you catch your breath, you’re in bed getting ready to start it all over again. If that’s the case, then it can be so easy to just add in a simple thank you list before you fall asleep. Pick just a few things that happened in your day to think about. Perhaps it’s that delicious meal you were able to enjoy that song that came on shuffle that helped you have a little dance party or even that cute dog you saw while walking to your car. Whatever comes up in your gratitude recap can not only help integrate bursts of thankfulness into your day, but it can also improve your sleep quality. Adding in those happy thoughts just before you drift off to sleep increases the likelihood of deep relaxation and improved mood.
Celebrate all the people and things that support you:
Add more appreciation by thanking your loved ones and support systems while you’re already chatting with them. You can add in a little thank you text while you’re messaging your best friend group chat, you can give your parent an extra appreciation comment when you’re on your weekly phone chat, or you can give your partner an extra hug and can thank them for anything they may have helped you with that day or week.
Give Thanks to your body:
One way to add in a gratitude practice is to thank your body for its functions and how it serves you.
- Thank your arms for the hugs they give and the groceries they carry.
- Thank your legs for the runs they take you on and the stairs they climb.
- Thank your eyes every time you see a beautiful tree or the face of a friend.
- You can even carve out some special time to thank your body while looking in a mirror.
However you might say thanks to your body, doing so can boost your self-esteem and overall mental wellness.
Adding in those extra moments of gratitude for your loved ones can strengthen your relationships, increase empathy, and may also help you gain insight on how much they appreciate you back!
Wishing you a loving and peaceful November. As always, wishing you a month filled with Jubilance.
