T is for Thank
In our busy lives, it's pretty tough to remember to say thank you, whether to others, or to ourselves. Gratitude and happiness seem to go hand in hand and remembering the good things can turn around your day in just a minute. As new parents picking out the positives amongst the maelstrom of poo, sick, washing, colic and screaming can be tricky, but when you do, you'll thank yourself for that too.
Our Resident Happiness Coach, Olivia Horne, talks us through feeling THANKFUL, and how to bring more gratitude into our everyday routines.
Go on - #BeYourOptiMUM
Why
Because “it’s not happiness that brings us gratitude, it’s gratitude that brings us happiness” (Anon). Gratitude is good for your mind, body and soul. It’s good for your health and your sleep, and it’s great for your relationships. It helps you focus on what really matters to you, and by extension builds clarity around what you want more of, and what you can release from your life. Gratitude simply makes you happier. It’s so easy to remember and replay the one bad thing that happened in an otherwise perfectly decent day. It’s so easy to focus on the exhausting and frustrating and deflating bits. And it’s parental nature to worry constantly if you’re doing enough. But when we can pause to notice the connections, the discoveries, and the magic that exists in between the moments, we open up a whole world of new ways to experience and enjoy our lives.
“It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude, it’s gratitude that brings us happiness.”
How
There are many ways to build a gratitude practice. You can keep a notebook and pencil by the bed or in your handbag. You can try one of the many available gratitude apps, to record positive thoughts on your smartphone. Or you can simply express thanks and appreciation directly to the people in your life. You can set aside a dedicated regular practice time, or, in the spirit of not waiting for the perfect moment, just jot down or say things as they occur to you throughout the day. However it works for you, simply record one or more things each day for which you feel thankful. Notice the impact that each thing has on your life, and what your part was in making it happen. Use positive language, be specific, and notice how each thing makes you feel. And don’t just go through the motions of writing a list – this is your chance to pause and appreciate all that you are, all that you do, and all that you have.
“Appreciate all that you are, all that you do, and all that you have.”
Try it now
Ask yourself: what’s one good thing about this moment? Consider why or how this thing happened, and notice how it makes you feel. Write it down. Give and receive thanks. It’s that easy.
Olivia Horne is &Breathe's Resident Happiness Coach, because finding your best you is about the mind as well as the body. She also offers one-to-one coaching and small group meditation classes in London, find out more here and here.
#BeYourOptiMUM
At &Breathe we believe in Being Your Best You to be at your best for everyone around you. Our retreats and events allow you the selfcare time you deserve and through this Spring, we're sharing ways to #BeYourOptiMUM - what's yours?
Tag #BeYourOptiMUM and tell us!