Well with Alice

The G is for... Gratitude!

Gratitude is an attitude. We can choose to focus on the positive things in our lives, no matter how small or big. A good practice to have is to list 3 things that you are grateful for each day. 

Of course you can each day be grateful that you have a house, a job and a partner, but it is better to be more specific: 

-I am grateful for my partner, who cooked dinner tonight as I was too tired; 

-I am grateful that this house has a bath in the bathroom; 

-I am grateful that my job gives me a sense of purpose, or that I have had positive interactions with colleagues/family members today.

Research has shown that people who write down 3 good things from each day are happier and healthier than people who write down 3 negative things from each day (1). This is because they trained their brains to focus on the positive and see the good in each day.

Some simple ways to practice gratitude include:

-Using a gratitude journal, calendar or diary to write down highlights of each day (kmart has a specific gratitude journal for only $5!)

-Go around the table at dinner time to talk about your gratitudes

-Decide on a specific time to reflect on your gratitudes. Some people may choose to do this at a time of day that is usually tricky for them (witching hour anyone?) or to do this as they start or end the day. Find something that works for you!

-Write notes or letters to people you are grateful for

-Download a gratitude app (3 good things daily gratitude is a very simple app that just asks for your 3 good things each day, but there are other options that may suit your needs better).

Thank you for reading, I am grateful for you!

Kind regards,

Ms. Alice Romijn

School Chaplain

Sources: 

(1): Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377