Jubilant Age

Building an attitude of gratitude benefits not only the people around you. Research has shown that being grateful also increases your own happiness, fights off depression and anxiety, lowers your blood pressure, and more.

My last post talked about cultivating gratitude through evidence-based practices like keeping a gratitude journal and writing a letter of appreciation to someone in your life. But maybe you don’t have to write a gratitude letter, or you’re too tired at night to do a journal. 

Here are 10 simple things you can build into your routine that will help foster your own sense of gratitude. You’re probably already doing some of them.

All great spiritual traditions acknowledge the importance of cultivating gratitude. Indeed, many regard gratitude as a virtue. Gratitude is often taught to children as a should, as in: “You should thank Grandma for the birthday gift, even if it wasn’t what you wanted.”

But the fact is that gratitude is both a virtue AND a benefit. Saying “thanks” helps both the giver and the recipient. Research shows that grateful people experience more happiness, less stress, better relationships, and even better physical health.

Here’s why and how to cultivate gratitude in your own life.