

9 Unique Ways to Practice Gratitude
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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!