Student Wellbeing

Gratitude as a mindfulness technique 

What is gratitude?

Gratitude is the appreciation for the positive things we experience and is essential for building happiness. This appreciation may be for a person, situation, or experience. Research has proven that people with high levels of gratitude experience many benefits. This means that increasing our practice of gratitude can:

• Boost our mood and help us to feel great in the moment
• Bring you closer to the people around you (friends, family etc.)
• Assist us in coping with tough times
• Encourage an awareness for the positive moments around you, instead of dedicating all your thoughts to the negative. 

How can I practice gratitude (mindfulness)

Practising your gratitude is an excellent way of also increasing your mindfulness. Mindfulness is a self-care technique that means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. There are many ways that we can practice gratitude and can be easily done in our day-to-day lives. For example:

• Keeping a gratitude journal: take five minutes a day or once a week to think of and write down three things that have happened to you that you are glad you have experienced. 
• Take pictures: set yourself a mission to photograph little things in your everyday life that make you smile (when appropriate to do so).
• Tell someone you’re grateful to have them in your life: whether it’s someone you look up to, or someone who just makes you happy, take the time to tell them you’re glad they’re around. 

You can be grateful for anything no matter how big or small (e.g., the weather, the traffic, your friendships, your achievements). 

Sources:

Sydnie McCallum

Student Wellbeing