Beyond Thanksgiving: The Year-Round Practice of Gratitude

With the leaves changing and the air growing crisp, we all are settling into the yearly routine of being thankful.  We need to remember, however, that praticing gratitude is essential for our mental health year round.  Not just noticing the big things, such as the warmth of our home or job that we have, but in the small pleasures and little interactions we have with ourselves and others each day.  It's the extra five minutes that we gave ourselves in the shower, the book we took time to read, the smile that clerk at the store gave us, and the greatest hugs that our friend always gives. 

An easy way to practice gratitude is to be intentional about 3 things each day:

1. Showing someone value, such as appreciation or compliments

2. Noticing when others value you, through words or deeds

3. Valuing yourself each day by being kind to yourself without having to earn it

These simple practices can help you build and maintain relationships with others and yourself, resulting in hope, life satisfaction, and higher self-worth.