Wellness
9 Unique Ways to Practice Gratitude
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If you’re like me, you’ve participated in your fair share of gratitude challenges, lists, and journals. I’ve found lists and journals difficult to stick to because it’s hard to see any impact as a result of my actions.
On the other hand, some studies show the deep and lasting benefits of approaching our lives from a grateful perspective—so we should probably be practicing gratitude in some way, shouldn’t we?
I’ve found the most powerful way to see results from a grateful mindset is to take those words off the paper and into the real world. Rather than simply writing down what I’m grateful for, I try to help others, connect with my community, and intentionally reflect on my blessings.
Check out these nine ways you can practice gratitude through action:
Make time to volunteer.
Volunteering connects us to other people, takes us out of our comfort zone, and helps us appreciate the things we have. Whether you choose to help with meals at a local shelter or help a friend move, gifting your time is a valuable way to bless others.
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Make time to volunteer.
Volunteering connects us to other people, takes us out of our comfort zone, and helps us appreciate the things we have. Whether you choose to help with meals at a local shelter or help a friend move, gifting your time is a valuable way to bless others.
Do an act of kindness.
Even the tiniest acts of kindness can cheer up someone else’s day, along with your own. Try paying for someone else’s coffee, picking up something someone dropped, or holding the door and sharing a smile.
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Do an act of kindness.
Even the tiniest acts of kindness can cheer up someone else’s day, along with your own. Try paying for someone else’s coffee, picking up something someone dropped, or holding the door and sharing a smile.
Take a tech sabbath.
Technology is a part of our everyday life, but it’s also been shown to increase stress and anxiety. Commit to a time every week where you completely disconnect. I personally put my phone on airplane mode every Sunday and am intentional in spending the day, unplugged, with my family and friends.
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Take a tech sabbath.
Technology is a part of our everyday life, but it’s also been shown to increase stress and anxiety. Commit to a time every week where you completely disconnect. I personally put my phone on airplane mode every Sunday and am intentional in spending the day, unplugged, with my family and friends.
Say “thank you.”
Go out of your way to really say thank you to someone. Instead of just saying the words, make an effort to tell them that you appreciated what they did, how it helped you, and that they did a great job. Extra grateful? Try writing a thank you note!
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Say “thank you.”
Go out of your way to really say thank you to someone. Instead of just saying the words, make an effort to tell them that you appreciated what they did, how it helped you, and that they did a great job. Extra grateful? Try writing a thank you note!
Create a gratitude collage.
Imagine if your gratitude journal and vision board had a baby that gave you all the warm and fuzzies. Grab a friend, a pile of magazines, and create a visual representation of all the things you’re grateful for.
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Create a gratitude collage.
Imagine if your gratitude journal and vision board had a baby that gave you all the warm and fuzzies. Grab a friend, a pile of magazines, and create a visual representation of all the things you’re grateful for.
Write a positive review for a small business.
Did you know that online reviews of a small business can completely make or break their success? If you’ve had an amazing experience with a small business, anything from a restaurant to a fitness studio, take a few minutes to write a Yelp, Facebook, or Google review. It’s guaranteed to make the owners smile.
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Write a positive review for a small business.
Did you know that online reviews of a small business can completely make or break their success? If you’ve had an amazing experience with a small business, anything from a restaurant to a fitness studio, take a few minutes to write a Yelp, Facebook, or Google review. It’s guaranteed to make the owners smile.
Bring a friend a meal.
We’ve all had a friend that went through a hard time, and you couldn’t figure out how to help them. I encourage you to drop off a meal for them. Ask them if they have any allergies or aversions, and bring them something good to eat. The key to anyone’s heart is a good meal, and you’re sure to feel amazing afterward, too.
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Bring a friend a meal.
We’ve all had a friend that went through a hard time, and you couldn’t figure out how to help them. I encourage you to drop off a meal for them. Ask them if they have any allergies or aversions, and bring them something good to eat. The key to anyone’s heart is a good meal, and you’re sure to feel amazing afterward, too.
Pause before you eat.
Take a few seconds before meals to reflect on the fact that you have access to delicious, nourishing food. Whether it’s saying grace with your family, or a few moments of quiet meditation, reflecting on the joys of a delicious meal is sure to improve your mood.
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Pause before you eat.
Take a few seconds before meals to reflect on the fact that you have access to delicious, nourishing food. Whether it’s saying grace with your family, or a few moments of quiet meditation, reflecting on the joys of a delicious meal is sure to improve your mood.
Honor something bigger than yourself.
We all know we’re not the center of the universe, but it’s easy to forget that when we’re feeling stressed or anxious. Spend time reflecting on the intricacies of the universe, the beauty of nature, and the fact that most of the time, things do turn out okay. Let go a little and breathe a sigh of relief.
Hopefully, these unique and actionable ways to practice gratitude inspire you to move beyond your gratitude journal and into the real world. By connecting with people and the world around us, we can not only grow personally, but also help others and improve our community.
Happy gratitude-ing!
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Honor something bigger than yourself.
We all know we’re not the center of the universe, but it’s easy to forget that when we’re feeling stressed or anxious. Spend time reflecting on the intricacies of the universe, the beauty of nature, and the fact that most of the time, things do turn out okay. Let go a little and breathe a sigh of relief.
Hopefully, these unique and actionable ways to practice gratitude inspire you to move beyond your gratitude journal and into the real world. By connecting with people and the world around us, we can not only grow personally, but also help others and improve our community.
Happy gratitude-ing!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
