“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust

Gratitude is a simple activity that can help in some way to reduce worry and anxiety. It can help you to mentally change your outlook and can boost self-esteem and self-confidence. I have found developing this awesome habit fantastic for my health and well-being. It can be done anywhere at any time and can take just minutes of your day, yet the return is so great.

Don’t always focus on the big things to be grateful for. Think about the small things that you can be grateful for too. What do you normally take for granted? Try and think of some different things each day. They say that to make something a habit you need to do it for 21 days, make gratitude a habit. To make it work for you, try and do it at the same time every day. I do it every evening, I find 3 things that I am grateful for and write them down. It takes less than 5 minutes. After just a week I noticed an impact on my mood and thinking. They could be things about yourself you are grateful for, things about your life, people in your life.

Gratitude can not only make you happier but can make others happier too. Express your gratitude to others. Is there someone who does something that isn’t necessarily a big thing but makes your life easier/has a part in your every day life? A cleaner, apprentice, post-person? Is there someone who you are grateful to for lots of things but just assume they know you are grateful for what they do? We often assume people know but what impact would those 2 little words have? A huge one! It could make their day, it could make their week. We also feel more inclined to want to help those we know are grateful. Tell them! If you don’t want to tell them, write them a card. Just a little card saying ‘thank you’ can say and mean an awful lot.

So, what is on my gratitude list for tonight?

1. I am grateful for my legs, for carrying me and staying strong through my marathon training.
2. I am grateful for where I live. I love the sea and the green of the Downs and feel so lucky that they are both so close.
3. I am grateful for my wonderful husband, for being so kind, caring, helpful and funny. He is my rock.

What are you grateful for? Try and make it a daily habit, it will make such a difference. I look forward to hearing from you if you try it.