It is November, and my favorite U.S. holiday is rapidly approaching– Thanksgiving. This is a day dedicated to expressing gratitude for our blessings regardless of our religion, ethnic background, or economic status. But what if I told you that practicing gratitude consciously 365 days a year instead of just one could help you improve your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing? How curious would you be to learn more?

It is common to direct our focus on the stress we experience at work and in life. Like missing a goal, having a manager who is not supportive, or the regret that the weekend has come to an end and we are starting the rat race all over again. We concentrate on what we are lacking: time, money, friends, fun; the list goes on and on, and without realizing it we are creating our own misery.  

When coaching clients who express their overwhelm, I ask them to tell me 10 things they are grateful for in their life. Frequently the answer to this question does not come easily, as it requires reframing our brain. Simply put we can’t think negative and positive thoughts at the same time and need to shift our focus. 

Gratitude is a mindset we choose. It is the secret to living a joyful, fulfilling life, a gift available to anyone. It is the fastest way to raise your energy level, and the best part is that it doesn’t cost a thing! Studies have shown that people of all ages see improvements in the areas of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing by practicing gratitude daily through being present and acknowledging the good in their lives.

So how can you integrate a practice of gratitude into your daily routine? Here are five of my favorite tips:

1. Start and end your day with gratitude

From the moment you wake up in the morning, you can find many reasons to be grateful. You can feel your breath in your lungs, you are alive, or maybe you were able to sleep in a little longer and linger under the warm, cozy sheets. Or maybe you observed a beautiful sunrise or sunset. At the end of the day, be grateful for the lessons you have learned.

2. Remind yourself of what you are providing for others

It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, you are serving a purpose on this earth and are here to make other people’s life easier, safer, healthier, wealthier, etc. You may not think of your job that way, but what you do is important. Being grateful for these opportunities is a wonderful form of gratitude. 

3. Say “thank you” more often

What if you finished every conversation you have with a thank you? Imagine how much joy you would spread among not only the people you know but also strangers you interact with? 

4. Make gratitude a habit

A standard recommendation is to keep a gratitude journal and add to it daily, but that may be considered too much work for some people. You don’t have to write down your thoughts of what you are grateful for, just practice gratitude as a daily habit, e.g., during a specific time of the day set your alarm and think of five things you are grateful for in that moment.

5. Spend time in nature

Nature has the power to remind us there are greater forces in this world than us. Marvel at your surroundings, the elements, creatures, smells, and sounds, Appreciate you’re here and alive!

When researching this article, I came across many inspirational quotes on gratitude. Simply reading them immediately raised my level of energy. Here is the one that resonated the most with me: “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder” (Gilbert Keith Chesterton). 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!